God Speaking

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain…” (Psalm 127:1)

Our neighborhood is in the middle of rapid expansion. Old houses are being torn down and in their place, multi-storied buildings which will house enough people to fill a village, are rising in their place. Our streets are filled with men wearing hard hats and flag people waving signs warning of huge vehicles and cement trucks backing up lanes. On reading one of the warning signs, “Construction Zone”, one of my friends remarked, “Should read Destruction Zone”. Apart from the chaos and traffic problems, I have been fascinated by watching the preparations that take place before the building takes on any recognizable shape. It seems to me that preparing the foundation for these mighty buildings is a painstaking, meticulous and lengthy task. I have watched as the huge holes are filled with concrete laced with steel strips. I have seen steel rising out of the base of concrete to form yet more sturdy supporting walls. It has been reassuring to see the effort made to secure a firm and sure foundation for these buildings. The world was shocked recently by the tragedy in Bangladesh when a clothing factory collapsed killing thousands due to faulty building practices and lack of careful maintenance. A good warning for any country about sure foundations.

While I was watching one of the layers for these huge buildings, I thought of one of the favorite Sunday school songs we used to sing as children, “A wise man built his house upon a rock.” We loved this song.  We always sang with much gusto and with much pounding of closed hands as we imitated sturdy builders. The last verse had a powerful message, “So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“So this is what the Sovereign Lord says, ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone. A precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.’” (Isaiah 28:16)

We seem to be living in very shaky times. Many of the values we grew up with have been discarded as old fashioned. Tolerance of evil is obvious in horrific stories we read in the media. A kind of “dog eat dog” attitude abounds in the business world where one is applauded if that noisy whistle blower is silenced and any wrong doing is quickly covered up.

We are not even surprised when respected members of the community are found out to be liars or cheats. We worship the rich and famous not bothering to find out how they made their money. Paul has a warning for those who build their lives around wealth;

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.” (1 Corinthians 3:11 – 13)

When we go back to that sweet little children’s song, the solution for us to live a stable and fulfilled life, not to be shaken by what rages around us, firmly anchored in the Heavenly Father‘s love, is found in the last verse, “So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ.” The prophet Isaiah assures us that when we have that precious cornerstone supporting us we will never be dismayed. Storms can rage, waves can crash, but we will stay firm because the Lord is the builder for our lives and he has laid for us a foundation that will never be shaken. The words of this modern hymn remind us of the Trust Worthy One.

Jesus, you’re my firm foundation

I know I stand secure.

Jesus you’re my firm foundation

I know I stand secure

I put my hope in your Holy Word

I put my hope in your Holy Word.