Ben Fourie

“I chose a valuable stone, which I am placing as the cornerstone in Zion.” 1 Peter 2:6

We have all seen a new building going up. First some foundation trenches are being dug according to the size of the building and how it will look like when it is finished. Then a concrete foundation is cast. In big cities where very tall 30 storey buildings are common, this process of laying the foundation is more elaborate as thousand of tons of reinforced concrete is needed to carry the enormous weight of such a tall building.

Luke in chapter 6:48 describes in this parable the process of building a house: “He is like a man who, in building his house, dug deep and laid the foundation on rock.” In contrast there is also a man “…who built his house without laying a foundation.” Next comes a heavy storm and when the area is flooded the result is very predictable. The house with a sound foundation remains unaffected while the other one is reduced to rubble.

Jesus used this story about the building of a house, something we all know and understand, to show how senseless it would be to hear His message but not act on it. We could be sitting in church for hours, join Bible study groups, read our Bible regularly but still be builders on sand. To hear about faith but never be a real believer or hear about love but never love my neighbour, is equal to building a house without a foundation. Theoretical faith and love will crumble under life’s storms in no time at all.

Most of us leads hectic lives. No time for family affairs and no time for quiet meditation in Gods’ presence. Social and other media brings the latest news, often bad news, by means of cell phone, Internet and television to us within minutes after it happens anywhere in the world. The pressure on us and therefore also on our religious foundation is sometimes enormous, like that of a thirty storey building. In such times we need a very strong foundation with Jesus the cornerstone. In these circumstances a faith ground in Jesus will weather any storm.

Prayer: Help me to hear You clearly every day so that I will know what You want me to do. Amen