The Forecast Is Son
Will the foundation of your life last when the storms of life come? Only a life built on Jesus is weather proof.
“The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation…Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made..And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights…Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.”
Genesis 7:1, 4, 12, 23
Noah must have looked crazy building an ark on dry land. Doing what God said to do when everyone else was living against God. It requires faith to move when there is no evidence of rain. Where is God calling you that runs counter to what you see in the world?
“Let the Lord judge the peoples…My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart…I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.”
Psalms 7:8, 10, 17
How do you feel about God judging people? We live in a world that does not like accountability and is increasingly flexible on defining truth. God has heavenly standards because He wants heaven on earth.
David praises the Lord and proclaims his righteousness knowing the most important decision a person can make is in their heart. He knows he falls short but desires to follow.
“My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.” Proverbs 7:1-2
Following Jesus on planet earth is not easy. There are trials and temptations constantly that can draw you away or erode the foundation of your life. How do you put up barriers to protect from the storms? You allow the living word to guard your heart. The enemy wants to deceive and destroy. Jesus wants to protect, give peace, and empower to have strength by the spirit to stay true.
“Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart…If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all...Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:4, 9, 11, 14
The number one attack on the foundation of faith is fear. Fear is a liar. How do you overcome fear? Stand firm. Declare Jesus over what whatever you face. Thousands of years before Jesus was born the Lord told Ahaz that the sign of his promise was Immanuel, God with us. Fear said to the people there is no hope. Faith said to be patient and wait upon the Lord. The best answers to prayer happen in God's timing according to God's will.
““Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened…Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them...Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”
Matthew 7:7-8, 13-14, 19-20, 24-25
How beautiful is this passage in contrast to the story of the flood? Jesus says build your life on my words. What does He say? Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find. He says have faith that God is for you and desires relationship with you.
He teaches there is a way of living that is connected to the father and embraces a kingdom life. You are called to bear fruit! What fruit is your life producing? Jesus say to hear and practice. What does God need to trim to help produce a larger crop and what do you know to do that God wants you to practice more to enhance your spiritual life?
In this world there will be storms, but we can take heart that Jesus has overcome the world. He ushers in a new promise, a new covenant of new life. What will you choose today? The narrow road focused on following Jesus led by the spirit, or separated and focused on self as is often seen in the world around us. Examine your life. Are there any cracks in the foundation you need him to shore up? Stand firm on the foundation of your faith or you will not stand at all.