STORMS OF LIFE ARE INEVITABLE
Matthew 7:24-27

As Jesus concluded His Sermon on the Mount, He used an illustration comparing two builders.  On the surface both houses looked attractive and substantial.  Both houses were made of the best materials and had used the right building techniques.  Both were erect, firm, strong homes.  But then the storms came, the winds blew, the rains fell in torrents, and the flood waters rose. Result:  one beautiful and seemingly secure home collapsed like a house of cards and was destroyed, while the other remained intact and secure.  The difference was in the foundation.

With this parable Jesus is teaching about life – your life and mine.  I believe Jesus is sharing with us two eternal principles that, if learned, will aid us to be successful in life.

The first principle is this:  storms are an inevitable part of life.  I read this rather humorous account awhile ago and thought I would share it with you. 

When I got to the building, I found that the hurricane had knocked off some bricks around the top.  So I rigged up a beam with a pulley at the top of the building and hoisted up a couple barrels full of bricks.  When I had fixed the damaged area, there were a lot of bricks left over.  Then I went to the bottom and began releasing the line.  Unfortunately, the barrel of bricks was much heavier than I was – and before I knew what was happening the barrel started coming down, jerking me up.

I decided to hang on since I was too far off the ground by then to jump, and halfway up I met the barrel of bricks coming down fast.  I received a hard blow on my shoulder.  I then continued to the top, banging my head against the beam and getting my fingers pinched and jammed in the pulley.  When the barrel hit the ground hard, it burst its bottom, allowing the bricks to spill out.

I was now heavier than the barrel.  So I started down again at high speed.  Halfway down I met the barrel coming up fast and received severe injuries to my shins.  When I hit the ground, I landed on the pile of spilled bricks, getting several painful cuts and deep bruises.  At this point I must have lost my presence of mind, because I let go of my grip on the line. The barrel came down fast – giving me another blow on my head and putting me in the hospital.  I respectfully request sick leave.

And you thought you had problems.  Listen to what Job has to say:  For affliction does not come from the dust, Neither does trouble sprout from the ground.  For man is born for trouble, As sparks fly upward (Job 5:6-7).  Job states that man’s troubles are innate and inevitable.  To the old statement that “there’s nothing sure but death and taxes”, we can add “troubles.”  We all have disappointments.  We all experience frustrations.  We all share fears.  We all face thoughts of discouragement.  The Bible makes it clear that we are going to have hard times. 

So, how can we survive?  Dial in tomorrow and join me as we seek God’s answer.

Father, I remember the words of Jesus to His disciples:  In the world you will have tribulations.  At times, Lord, our tribulations seem more than we can bear.  At times we feel like the disciples in the boat on the storm tossed sea:  Why doesn’t Jesus do something?  Yet, Father, You have promised us strength for the day.  Help us to rest upon You.  We pray this in Christ’s name.  Amen.

 

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