“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27

My kids and I first memorized Matthew 7 years ago – when Noelle was just a baby. It is such a beautiful passage filled with contrasts and ideals.

I am so loving my Scripture Typer Bible Memory app. It is equipping me to remember passages I thought I’d long since forgotten.

In reviewing this passage, this section really struck me. It is an example of a comparison and contrast paper like I might have written back in high school.

Similarities-
Both men heard Jesus’ words.
Both men built houses.
Both men’s houses suffered from rain and flooding and wind.

Differences-
The wise man did what Jesus said but the foolish man didn’t.
The wise man’s house was built, founded, on rock while the foolish man’s house was built on sand.
The wise man’s house did not fall while the foolish man’s house did – and great was the fall of it.

I think there’s so much we can learn here. Just listening to the words of Jesus does not cause our house to be built on the rock. We are not to merely listen to the word and so deceive ourselves. We are to DO what it says. (James 1:22-22).

We are all building our houses and we might even think we are building them well. The house itself may be beautiful and strong and well-built but if it’s foundation is not solid, it will fall when the storms of life come.

And indeed, the storms of life will come to us all. Those storms are frequently used by the Lord to show us where our heart is. That storm that displays God’s power and glory and might in one person’s life can be the very same struggle that causes another man’s life to crumble.

And now I ask you – on what are you building your LIFE? Remember, He has set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose LIFE that you and your offspring may live.

I love you, sisters. Press on. Remember, whoever hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on a rock.