Each spring, the melting snow and ice upstream cause the Ottawa River to rise to a roaring torrent, crashing over the Chaudiere Falls near Ottawa and Gatineau, Canada, barrelling on its way to meet the St. Lawrence River, and eventually, the sea. For the past few years, homeowners near the river have had to contend with serious flooding, and some on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River have even abandoned their properties, rather than endure weeks of sand-bagging and pumping to save their homes each spring.

Our Lord Jesus used the picture of the storm and the flood to tell us how, at some point in our lives, our foundations will be shaken by time and the great storms of life.

Matthew 7:24-27 – Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. (ESV)

As Jesus ended the great Sermon on the Mount, He knew the challenges in life that His followers would come up against. As bad weather assaulted the house built on sand, the winds came against the sides of it, shaking its frame. The floods came up against the base, cracking the foundation and damaging the contents. Finally, the rain came into the already damaged roof, finishing the destructive work of the storm, "and it fell, and great was the fall of it". The second builder didn't deliberately make an error of judgment on the site plan, but he believed that nothing bad would happen and took his chances!

Proverbs 10:25 – When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever. (ESV)

The big difference between being wise and foolish is our choice of foundation for our life. Jesus is the rock of our salvation, and we must listen to all of His teachings to be secure on His foundation. But we must always live out His teachings as well, for we really believe only the instruction of Scripture that we put into practice! Our world is enduring a pandemic storm, with crashing waves and gusts of economic, social, and spiritual ferocity. Let us each choose our own foundation wisely!

Isaiah 55:6 – Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. (ESV)

Prayer: Dearest Lord, be with us in the storm siege that our world is facing. Thank You for being our sure and steady foundation. May we live out Your teachings each day. Amen.

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About the author:

Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca>
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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