On Christ the solid Rock I stand....

No one and I do mean no one, sojourns through this life without encountering some difficulties. Some may experience issues with their health, even when young. Some, even the wealthiest among us, may suddenly find themselves financially ruined. Some who simply seek to love and be loved are confronted with rejection again and again.

Recently the world witnessed a 9.0 earthquake, and the ensuing massive tsunami which battered the island nation of Japan. It caused thousands of deaths and inflicted massive damage. It was a catastrophic event of such enormous scale that it even induced a slight shifting of the earth’s axis. I thought of all those many precious people who suffered the dramatic effects of this disaster, some who lost everything they possessed in a relatively short period of time.

These illustrations remind us of the frailty of this life, and the tempestuous nature of this earthly realm is a constant reminder we can face hardship at any moment. Tragically, many never stop and truly examine the type of foundation upon which they are building to withstand these storms of life. As Christians, we should be encouraged that God has a purpose for us, and he has provided the foundation which will support us in the time of trouble. Jesus Himself reveals this truth in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 6:48 -49:

He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Difficulty will come; however, if we have prepared by building on a solid foundation, we will see a way through. That foundation is none other than Jesus Christ. The famous evangelist D.L. Moody aptly said, “Give your life to Christ; he can do more with it than you can.” Or, as the refrain of one of the most beloved hymns so succinctly puts it:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

See ya Sunday!
Pastor