A’s Heavenly Downloads

I recently took part in a Bible study and, after praying for guidance, felt led to read Matthew 7:24-29, where Jesus taught about the importance of building on a solid foundation.

In those passages, Jesus likened those who hear His words and put them into practice to a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. In contrast, He likened everyone who hears His words and doesn’t put them into practice to a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. The final two verses described how the crowds were amazed at Jesus’ teaching because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Two verses in particular stood out to us:

1. “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock” Matthew 7:24 NLT
2. “For he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.” Matthew 7:29 NLT

We considered what these verses were telling or showing us about God, about people, and whether there was something in them that we needed to obey or apply to our lives.

We found that the first passage highlighted to us that God is the rock and foundation of all life and upon which all things are built. He is strong, sturdy, trustworthy. It also showed that He gives us a choice as to whether to follow His teachings. He is not forceful, instead He guides and leads us like a good father, showing us the right way and explaining the consequences of our actions. He seeks our informed consent to follow him in a gentle way. 

The second passage revealed to us that Jesus’ authority comes from God the father. He taught with ease and simplicity and didn’t need validation from anyone else. His teachings are also simple and easy to understand if we want to listen – it’s accessible to all.

Another Bible translation said the people were overwhelmed by His teaching, which indicated to us the power of Jesus’ words; that they carried weight; that He is the word of God, which is alive, active and sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

So what did the passages tell us about people? About ourselves – myself, even?

Well, bluntly, we agreed that sometimes we can be willfully foolish in choosing to do our own thing, or even refusing to believe what Jesus says, even when the consequences – good or bad – have been made clear to us beforehand. Consequences like peace, strength, healing, eternal life and restoration to God and various blessings, or death, destruction and eternal separation from our Heavenly Father.

Also worrying is that those who don’t know God risk being blown away by the storms of life. It’s easy to assume that this applies only to non-believers, but it applies equally to those who have accepted Christ as Lord and saviour, but who don’t truly know and understand who He is. Those who haven’t spent enough time getting to know Him, His heart, His love, His promises, His power and peace. Who relate to Him as a disciplinarian or giver of rules only, and not the multi-faceted, good kind and loving saviour that He is.  It showed us that we need to build a stronger relationship with the Lord, to listen, get to know and trust Him more through prayer and reading the Bible, and perhaps also through fasting. 

In applying the scripture to our lives we agreed that we need an increase in faith, to believe Him  and accept His grace. Although there are conditions to some of His promises, we need to believe the rewards and promises that follow obedience,  let go and trust Him more fully, leaning into His rest and peace.

Based on what we learnt, we resolved to involve God in everything, lean on Him, let Him guide us before doing anything,and trust Him. We also agreed to practically apply the scripture by setting goals to:

 

•  read God’s word and spend time in prayer and reflection to understand it, and listen to what He is saying or asking of us. 
• spend time paying attention to His voice and seeking His truth in all situations 
• remember that listening to Jesus’ teachings and following Him is not just about the rules, but also about believing His promises and love, and trusting Him.

 

Do you want to join in? Let us be like the wise man who built His house on the rock, let us  know when we are being wise and if we are being foolish. May the Lord grant us wisdom and discernment of the highest level and be our  guide. May He fill us with abundant faith as we lean on Him in every way and involve Him in every area and aspect of our lives. Lord please let your love and power flow in us, through us and around us, in Jesus name  🙏