Mensa Otabil - Build With Wisdom
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Matthew chapter 7, verses 24 and 25. Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew and beat on that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
So, this parable has to do with how people receive God's word. But the concept of a wise builder and a foolish builder goes beyond just how we approach God's word. It also extends into how we build our lives, our marriages, and everything else we are involved in. The parable focuses on foundations, not building materials. So, the assumption is that both the wise man and the foolish man are building with the same materials. The difference lies in the foundation on which they build their structures.
In life, many times, we can have the same opportunities, the same materials, the same school, the same education, and yet the outcomes will be very different for us. Sometimes it's not so much about whether somebody has superior materials compared to you, but what kind of foundations you laid. So, the wise builder builds on the rock. That is the first thing we learn from this parable: the wise builder builds on the rock. Now, in the region where Jesus lived, the geography was very sandy, as much of the Middle East is quite sandy. When people are building, they must choose whether to build on the sand or on the rock. Sometimes sand can appear strong.
One of the hazards of Jesus's time, and I believe it still exists in the Middle East, is what they call flash floods. Flash floods occur when rain comes and causes a swift movement of water, washing away everything in its path. This will be the test of what people are building. The wise person doesn't just look at the surface of the sand; he digs beyond the surface, digs deeper. The wise person says, "It looks like I can build now, but I need to find a more solid foundation."
A wise man is a digger; he goes beyond the surface. He digs deeply, spending time building the foundation for what he will become later on. This principle applies to marriage, to everything else in life. It takes time to lay the right foundations. That's the first aspect: they dig deeper. Secondly, they build enduring foundations. They establish values, ideas, concepts, and disciplines that are lasting. They don't go for what is popular or in vogue at any moment. So, they build enduring foundations.
Remember, what is popular does not always mean it is right. They build for long-term success. We live in a world where short-term success is flaunted. You visit people's Instagram pages, and they show you their successes; you go on Facebook, and people try to give the impression that things are working for them overnight. There is so much temptation to sabotage your life, take shortcuts, and impress others with pictures and photos. Listen to me: life is not about pictures. Pictures can be staged; they can be photoshopped.
Life is a reality. If you want to be a wise builder, take your time. Find a solid rock. Ensure that your fundamentals are right. The basis on which you build must be sound. Make sure your foundation is strong and that what you're building can withstand adversity. Because trust me, adversity will hit whatever you build; it's a given. Nothing stands without problems. Everything will be tested by storms, rain, and winds, but the house that is properly built will stand. I pray that you will build on a solid foundation so that 10, 20, 30, or 40 years from now, against all the storms of life, you will still be standing. That's what a wise builder does.
Let us pray. Say with me, "Heavenly Father, your word is my rock and foundation. Help me to dig deep to build against every storm in Jesus's name. Amen."