Recently, there had been something on my mind... It was a Scripture, a parable found in Matthew chapter seven. As I thought about this parable, I couldn't help but think about a story I'd heard several years ago. I was watching the news one night; it was during hurricane season, and they showed the houses that had been destroyed by the catastrophe. This was a scene that has stayed with me for several years now. As the camera lens spanned the beach, piles of wood and debris lay where houses once stood – expect for ONE house. It remained intact. I wondered what made the difference. It would be several days before I would know the answer to that question.
Going Deeper
Just a few days later, someone mentioned that exact house to me. They asked if I had heard the details about that house. I responded that I had not heard about them, but I was curious. I listened intently for what was to come.
I was told the house was owned by a couple that lived in my city. When they built the house, they were given the building regulations for how deep the posts had to go in order to build on the beach. They decided to go deeper than the actual regulations. They went down ten feet deeper than what was required.
In their building process, each time they were given the minimum regulations, they went above and beyond what was required. In doing so, when the storm came that took out most houses in their area, their home stayed intact; it stood firm.
Oh, I still love this true story today!
The House Built Upon the Rock
Matthew 7:24-27 says, "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, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall" (NKJV). (Photo via Unsplash)
The Bible is plain. If we want our house to remain standing in the day of the storm, it must be built upon Jesus (the Rock) and His Word. There is no other way our house can stand.
Above and Beyond
As I pondered on this fact about the house on the beach, I realized it is always in our best interest to do more than the minimum requirements. It is not enough to go sit in a church service every Sunday. That will not keep us in the day of trouble. We must make sure our house is daily built upon the Word of God. We must speak His Word over every area of our lives and refuse to speak anything that does not line up with God's Word. We must be diligent to read the Word daily, study the Word, pray the Word, and believe the Word above anything and everything else. In doing this, we build our house upon the Rock. A house built upon the Rock will stand firm.
How to Stand in the Day of Trouble
I'm reminded of one of my favorite Scriptures found in Colossians 2:7: "Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness" (NLT). We simply must let our roots grow down deep into God and His Word. Our lives must be built upon Him if we want it to stand in the day of trouble.
Just as with the house on the beach, we must go deep into God and His Word... and then go deeper still. Make every day a day to go a little deeper in God.
Those who have deep roots have no reason to fear a storm. They know they are founded and built on God and His Word and nothing can move them. They know they have a promise from God that supersedes any storm that can come their way. They know no weapon formed against them shall prosper because the Word of God says so.
Are your roots deep enough? Can they withstand a storm? Are you firmly built upon the Rock? Now more than ever before, deep roots are vital. Make sure your roots are deep in Him and in the Word of God. Your house depends upon that truth.
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Kim Potter
A New Thing Ministries
Email:Â Kim@anewthingministries.com
Website:Â www.anewthingministries.com
Kim Potter is the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to over 10,000 people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, Charisma, Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim's message is one of hope. She speaks to the heart of those who have grown discouraged and disappointed by the circumstances of life and imparts the desire and ability to stand against all odds; to stand for victory. She encourages people to press into God and discover that He is who He says He is.
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