When the Rains Come …

When the Rains Come …Matthew 7.24-29

We sang this in Sunday School, complete with the hand motions for the whole song: ‘The foolish man built his house upon the sand…the rains came down, and the floods came up, and the house on the sand went splat’; whereas ‘the wise man built his house upon the rock’ and when the rains came, the house on the rock stood firm!’  How do you manage storms that come into your life?  Another look at Jesus’ analogy:

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” Matthew 7.24-27, NLT

Storms are part of life.  It is not ‘if’ but ‘when’ storms or trials will come and have the propensity to knock you off your feet.  The question is, will you be faithful, including still filled with faith?  I was ‘googling’ faithfulness and this piece came up, written by me two and a half years ago—just as apt today:                              

The “How To” of Faithfulness

It is not easy to remain faithful; living in this world just seems to leech godliness right out of us, does it not? Yet, Paul said, “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”¹

In short, when Paul is saying, ‘be faithful,’ he is saying be loyal. Constant. Be faithful—the ‘be’ part is a verb, which implies action on our part. It will take action to be faithful in this life. See, here’s the thing—we are easily distracted, easily pulled away, though we would say we would surely die for God if we were asked!

How do weak human beings remain faithful?’ These verses from the heart and mind of David provide clues:

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.²

Do you want to stay the course? Choose your company wisely, the psalmist advises; otherwise, you will likely be pulled down, and possibly pulled away. Paul said, “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.”³ How could it be any other way, really? It is short-sighted to think, ‘we only go around once, so better live it up!’ Life is fleeting and lacks significance compared to Heaven and eternity with God.

Second, meditate on the Word as though it were your only sustenance. It will make and keep you strong; take it in, and you will be like a tree whose roots go down very deep, drawing water into its very core; through it, you become what Paul said->immovable. Through it, you will prosper. Get the Word through reading it daily, and by hearing inspired teaching from the Scripture on the Lord’s Day.

Third, in the storm, remember that God is with you … always. Jesus’ words captured by John: In this 

world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.⁴

No matter what you are facing, you do not face it alone. And from the Old Bible, as my mother called it, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."⁵

Finally, in order to stay the course, keep your eye on the finish line. “I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”⁶

Choosing company wisely ... meditating on God's Word ... knowing God is with you ... choosing strength in the Lord ... and keeping your eye on the finish line -- some of the "how to's" of faithfulness, ways to stay strong when the rains come, when the storms of life come our way.

1 – 1 Corinthians 15.58

2 - Psalm 1.1-3

3 – 1 Corinthians 15.33

4 – John 16.33

5 - Joshua 1.9

6 - From Philippians 3