AND THE RAIN DESCENDED, AND THE FLOODS CAME

We’ve seen it all this winter: wind storms, snow storms, floods. Sadly, many people across the northwest have lost their homes, and some have died, in the recent floods. I am thankful for the blue skies this morning, a little respite between winter storms, allowing the water to subside that things might get back to normal.

As bad as these storms have been, there are other storms that are constantly brewing and have the power to do even greater damage. Our Lord spoke of them in Matthew chapter seven: "and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew" (Matt. 7:25,27).

These spiritual storms confront all men, no one is exempt. Apparently there is no where on earth to avoid them. They come sometimes with great intensity. They have the power to overwhelm us--"to burst against (our) house."

The wise builder built his house upon the rock--and that’s what protected him through the storm. He still faced the storm. Believers still face trials. In fact, the believer in Christ is subjected to a whole new variety of trials (2 Tim. 3:12). But when the storm was directed towards his house, "it did not fall" (Matt. 7:25).

To build one’s house upon the rock is to hear the words of Jesus and act upon them (Matt. 7:24). The first step in that building process is to respond to the gospel, placing one’s faith and trust in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31). "For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 3:11).

Having established that foundation we are exhorted to "be careful how (we) build" (1 Cor. 3:10). We are careful how we build when we build according to God’s Word, hearing God’s word and acting upon it (James 1:25; Rev. 1:3).

How many spiritual homes have been wrecked by the spiritual trials of life? False teachers have infiltrated the church and have misguided the builders. The flood waters of sin and temptation have brought down many a house. Troubles and trials have brought discouragement and loss. The scattered ruins of flooded homes dot the countryside. How will we be made strong? The text gives the sole answer--to hear and do God's Word!

God has not promised us a life without trials, but in Christ and in His Word, we find sufficiency by His grace to respond to life’s trials victoriously, in a way which honors and glorifies Him.

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain, rocky and steep,
Never a river, turbid and deep.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Pastor Jerry