Keeping a Strong Foundation
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
by Dr. Paul Chappell
"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great."
Luke 6:46-49
Each day you are either strengthening or weakening your life's foundation.
Edward Gibbon was an English historian and member of Parliament during the 1700s. He is most noted for his book, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire that outlines the path of decline the mighty Roman Empire took that led it from being the world's greatest power to another ruined country. In his book, he notes the following five reasons for Rome's decline:
1. The rapid increase of divorce; the undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis of human society.
2. Higher and higher taxes and the spending of public monies for free bread and circuses for the populace.
3. The mad craze for pleasure; sports becoming every year more exciting and more brutal.
4. The building of gigantic armaments when the real enemy was within, the decadence of the people.
5. The decay of religion-faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life and becoming impotent to warn and guide the people.
Sadly, many of these attributes can be seen in our country today. But while our nation may not be headed down a moral path, as Christians, we are to continue building our lives on the eternal truths of God's Word.
Yesterday we saw that our only hope of weathering life's storms is by securing our foundation on the Word of God. Today let's notice a few ways we can continue building a strong foundation on the principles of God's Word each day.
First, build by reading God's Word. God's Word is the stonework of our foundation. Without the principles God has given us, there would be no security of our foundation. Spending time daily reading God's commands then applying them to our life strengthens our dependence on God and His control of our lives.
Second, build by daily time alone with God. Prayer is the glue that holds the bricks of God's Word together in our lives. As we read God's commands and seek to live them out, we must rely on prayer and time with God to strengthen us and enable us to live for Him daily.
Are you building your foundation each day? There is no "neutral ground"; you're either strengthening your foundation or weakening it. Continue to strengthen the foundation of your life by living out God's commands and seeking His help each day.
