Jesus said the wise man builds on the rock and the foolish man builds on sand, but not that storms come to both. The rain beats, the wind blows, the floodwater pours vehemently. The house on the rock cannot be shaken – but the house on the sand? Well, the foundation makes all the difference.
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.†(Galatians 1:6-7) Paul goes on to say that anyone, be he man or angel from heaven, who preaches any other gospel than that which was preached, let him be accursed. Pervert…accursed…what strong language! But how is it that someone is “so soon removed�
Daniel and the three Hebrew children “purposed in their heart.†The stroms life brought their way could not shake them. Joseph held on to his Word from the Lord through the betrayal of all the setbacks. God’s promis sustained him. On the other hand, Rehoboam, “did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.†(II Chronicles 12:14)
The Psalmist said, *“My heart is fixed,* Oh God…†(Psalm 57?7) Paul declared, “None of these things move me…†(Acts 20:24) so how do we become steadfast and unmoveable?
1) Build on Jesus Christ only! (I Corinthians 3:11) “…Behond I lay in Sion a Chief Cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded…but unto them which be disobedient, …a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient…†(I Peter 2:6-8)
2) Know who it is that is speaking to you. If you listen to other voices, they will lead you in other directions. The voice of the Word of God, the Spirit of God and the mand of God agree. Moreover, the Word is forever settled (Psalm 119:89). Any thing or any one that takes exception to the Word of God is out of line and a deceiver.
3) Keep your flesh under subjection. Paul said it’s a daily thing. If you allow your flesh to rear its ugly head, you risk deception, destruction, and death. James says, “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.†(James 1:14-16)
Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that sapke on earth, much more shall not we escape, of we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but not He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this…signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken…that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us…serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.†(Hebrews 12:25-29)
The old song says, “In time like these…be very sure…your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.†James’ exhorts and encourages us with these words… “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall received the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.†and “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.†(James 1:12; 5:8)