July 8, 2024
Melissa Valerio
Isaiah 28:16
“Therefore the Lord God said: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable.” (HCSB)
Now that summer is in full swing, I’m constantly thinking of new ways to entertain the kids. One thing I can always fall back on is taking them to the playground for a picnic lunch. It’s free, it’s entertaining for the kids, and it gets them good and tired for a relaxing evening at home. So, we went to the playground the other day and their favorite thing at this particular playground was the rope bridge. You know that wobbly bridge that you try to walk across but you kind of swing back and forth because it has no solid foundation? That one. They like to walk across and imagine that they are walking above a swamp filled with alligators and every step you take could send you plummeting down through the planks into a murky death. So much fun to pretend! BUT would you want one of those kinds of bridges when you need to cross over the top of a highway? Or if you are taking a scenic jog over a raging river and you had one of those swing bridges as your only connector to the other side? Of course not! You would want something more solid. Well, when it comes to the needs of our soul, solid is exactly what we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The truth is our lives are full of murky swamps and hungry alligators looking to attack us from every angle. But there is Someone who is able to cover us, protect us, and get us through all that life will throw at us. There is only one Person who can block the attacks of the enemy (in some cases) yet allow certain hardships (in other cases) for the purpose of teaching us. And having a firm belief in this truth is the only way to manage life’s crises and not lose hope. But it is not enough just to know the truth. Knowing and believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is just the first step in laying the foundation. Matthew explains in 7:24-27 that we must then build our house upon that foundation. It is a call to action. And how do we build? By developing the right doctrine through Godly spiritual habits. Praying, reading the word, and taking action in following His commands. Whether or not we feel like it, still continuing to do the things that He has called us to do. Like loving the Lord and our neighbors, being kind and generous to others. Forgiving and showing mercy, just as the Lord has shown to us. Really enjoying the presence of God and taking the time that He’s given us and give it back to Him for His use. These are some ways in which we can continue building upon that foundation so that when the storms do come, we are not shaken.
Prayer: Lord God, the only foundation that produces life is You. You are Truth and unless we build our lives upon Truth, it will fall. We are choosing to root ourselves in Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Action: The world is constantly trying to get us to trust in things such as money, people, technology, achievements, or our own abilities. Remember that the only truly unshakeable thing is Christ. People and things will come and go. Let’s dig our roots deep down into Christ so we are not tossed to and fro when the world changes around us.