"When the Storms Rage"

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote:  “Into each life some rain must fall.” 
Rain may fall gently at times, however, it also falls furiously in times of storm.  In our lives, there are many types of storms -- physical, financial, emotional, spiritual, etc. -- and they all vary in size and intensity.  Storms are the common lot of ALL.

Where can we turn when the storms of life rage?

Hear the words of Jesus:

"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" (Matthew 7:24-27).

Into every life, sooner or later, the rains descend, the floods come, and the winds blow and beat.  For one man the “house” of his life falls in ruins, while for another it stands secure.  The difference lies, not in the intensity of the storm, but in the power to withstand its fury.  The power to withstand the storms of life depends upon the foundation of one’s life.

In Jesus’ teaching, the house of the wise man withstood the storm because his house was built upon the rock.  And who is the wise man?  The wise man is one who hears the words of Jesus and does them (v. 24). Jesus assures us that no matter what storms may arise, obedience to Him is the only sure foundation on which to build our lives – lives that will withstand the test of time AND the Judgment to follow.

One begins building upon the Rock through faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance (Acts 17:30-31), and baptism into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  Then, one must continue to build his “house” -- his life  -- on the Rock by continuing to hear and to obey the words of Jesus and His inspired apostles.

In the words of the beloved hymn, “There Stands a Rock”:

Some build their hopes on the ever-drifting sand,
Some on their fame or their treasure or their land;
Mine’s on the Rock that forever shall stand,
Jesus, the Rock of Ages.

God bless you!

David A. Sargent, Minister 

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

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