A Sure Foundation

For Friday, 24 June 2005
Proverb 10:25

When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,
but the righteous is established forever.

I often drive by new construction and wonder where these houses will be in fifty or a hundred years. As someone who grew up in the city, I'm used to stone rowhouses that have stood for a century or more. It's difficult to imagine wood frames sheathed in plywood holding up so long.

Jesus reminds us that we are all involved in building projects, and when we build we do so foolishly or wisely (Mt 7:24-27; Lk 6:47-49). We build careers and reputations, relationships and families, fortunes and debts, and all the other projects that go into making our lives. Moreover, we often find our own projects taken up into a larger edifice, whether constructed by our church or neighborhood, our workplace or nation.

Nevertheless, careers founder, relationships fail, children disappoint, and money gets spent. Businesses go bankrupt, nations fall apart, and even churches are full of fellow sinners who betray and hurt us.

Today's proverb asks us to consider the foundation upon which we build. When the storms of life sweep over us - and they always do sooner or later - will we be left standing or will we be carried away? Where can we find a foundation on which to build that can withstand the vicissitudes of our fallen world?

Jesus called his hearers to build upon the rock, that is, to hear his word and keep it. If only we trust in Christ, will we then know we are loved by God and remain secure in his hand. As the words of the old hymn remind us: "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness...On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand."