Building on a Solid and Permanent Footing

davidwpalmer

May 31

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ngIBNNan7XPexiwGjnD6e?si=MkygSO-bRX-OrDFXUPjcHQ

David W Palmer

In contrast to the "false prophets" and those eternally locked out, today Jesus shows us how to have him say that he knows us and will welcome us. Plus, he tells us how to build a life on this earth that is secure:

(Matthew 7:24–27 DKJV) "Therefore, whoever hears these words of mine and does them; he will be like a wise man who built his house on the solid rock. {25} And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, for it had its foundation on the solid rock. {26} And every one that hears these words of mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; {27} and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it fell; and great was its downfall."

Jesus begins by giving us the key to a long, stable, crash-proof life: "hears these words of mine, and does them." This echoes the key statement he later made in John 10 while describing himself as the Good Shepherd:

(John 10:27 KJV) "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."

This verse gives us a very simple, yet easy to understand, statement of how to avoid hearing Jesus say: "I never knew you; depart from me" (Mat. 7:23 NKJV); or, "I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity" (Luke 13:27 NKJV). He knows those who hear his voice, and who follow him.

To be assured of our eternal security, and to guarantee that what we are building here and now doesn't crash, the formula is simple: make sure you pursue close, holy relationship and fellowship with Jesus. This has to be intimate enough to know his voice, and to hear it constantly. This will require humility, worship, submission, and complete surrender:

(Philippians 2:5, 8 NLT) "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. ... {8} he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross."

All pride will have to go, along with strong-willed independence, holding on to the past, and yielding to the flesh. And then, you will need to do his words, follow his instructions, receive his corrections, and yield completely to his will. After all, the Holy Spirit confirms that Jesus is only able to save those who "obey" him:

(Hebrews 5:9 NKJV) "And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him."

If we live in this close, submitted fellowship with Jesus, and actually believe and "do" his word, he says:

(Matthew 7:25 DKJV) "The rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; but it did not fall, for it had its foundation on the solid rock."

Jesus is showing us his way of surviving the grey, rainy times, the seasons of being overwhelmed, the storms of life, and the difficulties associated with living in this world. It's simple; hear and do his word. We note that he didn't say, "Beg God to 'come through' for you"; neither did he say, "Manipulate, cajole, worry, fret, or self-medicate." Jesus simply says: "hear," "do," "obey" my written and spoken word—including what I whisper to you in the secret place.

This concept is preempted in the Psalms:

(Psalm 91:1 NKJV) "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

This is giving us our part: "dwells in the secret place of the Most High." If we live in close, intimate, and submissive relationship with God, he will then be able to do his part: he will operate in such a way that we will "abide under the shadow of the Almighty." In other words, we will live under his protection and covering. The rest of Psalm 91 spells out the details of his protection and provision; it's worth reading—even memorizing.

What Jesus is saying in Matthew 7 will provide all the protection you need for this life, along with guaranteeing you an open door into the next. What's more, if we trust and obey him in this, it will overflow in a unique ministry. We note in the following passage that even among his disciples, it was John—the only one leaning on Jesus's chest, keeping his ear close to Jesus's heartbeat—who had insights that not even Peter, James, and the other nine disciples could receive. This could be you:

(John 13:23–25 NHEB) One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining against Jesus' chest. {24} Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to inquire who it was he was talking about. {25} He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus' chest, asked him, "Lord, who is it?" {26} Jesus therefore answered, "It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it."

Today I encourage you; for the sake of your life here as the end times shaking accelerates, and for your eternal assurance of an open door and welcoming smile from Jesus in heaven, make sure you do as he says in today's lesson. Ensure that you have a close, personal relationship with him—to the point you know and recognize his voice. Stay in his written word, have a great diet of preached and taught word from his gifted ministers who have his fruit, and ensure that you humbly obey him in all he says to you. Thankfully, Jesus says that if you do this, you will build on an unshakeable foundation, and you will crash-proof what you are building:

(Matthew 7:25 DKJV) "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, for it had its foundation on the solid rock."