“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 wind blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” Matthew 7:24-29
While watching the weather channel for an update on the hurricanes in the Atlantic, my mind drifts back to a time when our underwater bridge inspection team from Nebraska was taking a Safety Diver class at the Community College in Key West, FL. There was a category 2 storm that passed by during the second and final week of the classes and none of us had ever seen a “cat 2 storm” so when our class was ended for the day we jumped into our minivan and drove to the east side of the island to get a close-up view of storm surge. The road soon became blocked with boats, trees and water and we turned around and drove back to our hotel and sat through the night in darkness. The saying “the wind blew, the rain flew and there sat the State crew’ came full circle on that night. It is amazing to see and feel the awesome raw strength that our mighty God possesses. And even more awesome to know is that we can call upon Him in prayer and He listens to us…and answers us. No matter what storms, illness, addictions, collapses or hardships threaten to destroy us He is always there with us protecting, loving and caring for His children. Where is your hope found? I am closing today with the words from the hymn My Hope is Built on Nothing Less that were written by Edward Mote in 1834.
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant, and blood support me in the whelming flood; when every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound, oh, may I then in Him be found, clothed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne! On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen