Firm Foundation

In 1174 the Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on what would become his most famous project: an eight-story bell tower in the city of Pisa. There was just one “little” problem: builders quickly discovered that the soil was much softer than they had anticipated, and the foundation was far too shallow to adequately hold the structure! Before long it began to tilt … and it continued to tilt … until finally the architect and the builders realized that nothing could be done to make the Leaning Tower of Pisa straight again.

In Matthew 7:24-27, as Jesus comes to the end of the most famous sermon ever preached, He tells us that in order to have a life that lasts, our foundation must be anchored to the solid rock: “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.”

Two Builders

We’re introduced in this story to two different men. By all appearances, they may have looked the same, had identical materials, used the same tools, and persevered until their homes were finished. All of us are building—for to live is to build. Our desires, thoughts, attitudes, actions and words are building blocks. The question becomes: Are you building to last or to crash?

Two Houses

From the outside, both homes appeared to be well-built, but there’s a huge difference between them. Here’s the point. The difference between two lives is not always obvious, at first. The house on the sand may have started to shift even before the storm came. Gaps likely appeared in the walls as the timbers slipped. The owner probably patched up the holes, only to see more appear, even as the outside appeared to be fine. That’s a picture of people who don’t have a solid foundation. Great gaps and hideous holes show up and are often filled with that which doesn’t satisfy but gives the appearance that all is well.

Two Foundations

The main difference between the two builders is that only one took the time and determination to dig down to the solid rock and anchor his abode to that which would not move. All of this work was out of sight, but necessary. The contrast is brought out more strongly in Luke 6:48 where we read that the wise man “dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.” The rock is Christ: “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Same Storm

Notice that adversity comes from above (the rain fell), and from below (the floods came), and from all sides (the winds blew). Problems drench us like driving rain. Stress surrounds us like rising flood waters and pressures pound us like whipping hurricane-force winds.

Observe also that the same storm hits both houses. No individual is immune from adversity. Spurgeon writes, “Whether your religion be true or not, it will be tried.” Storms can serve as wake-up calls, can’t they? Storms will come to test the faithful to see what we’re really made of.

Two Destinies

While hard times come in this life, nothing will compare to what is to come in the future for those who do not follow Christ: “the ruin of that house was great” (Luke 6:49). The crash is great because it results in eternal separation and everlasting torment.

Now, let’s bring this all together to get at the main point of the parable. Both builders had the privilege of hearing the words of Jesus. The only difference between them is that while both listened to the words of Jesus, only one lived them out. The wise man heard and heeded the word of God. If you want your life to last, then listen to Jesus and live what He says.

How To Be Wise

Are you putting yourself in a position to continually hear God’s word by reading the Bible daily? Are you committed to regular participation in a Bible-teaching church? Are you plugged into a small group? It’s hard to live what you haven’t learned.

We’re all in danger of doing a lot of listening but not so much living out what we hear. Could it be that some of us are not Christians, even though we think we are? 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

Some of us are too soft and too shallow. It’s time to go deep. You can’t really tell from looking at someone how deep their roots are but you can tell by what happens when horrible things come. Some of you will weather these storms because you have wisely built your life on the Lord Jesus Christ. Others of you will compromise and capsize. Some of you know you are on shaky ground and you’re ready to be anchored to the Rock.

It’s time to take His hand and get to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Confess His name and turn from wickedness. When you do, the Lord says, “I know My own and My own know Me” (John 10:14). And you will be cemented to God’s solid foundation that will always stand firm.

 —Brian Bill, condensed