21 Days of Deep LivingExemplo

Dig Deep

In today’s anchor Scripture, we focus on the wise man and the foolish man; the wise man being the person who builds their house, or their life, on the foundation of God’s Word, whilst the foolish man is the person who does not.

It is important to note that the foolish man was not ignorant of the Word of God, but rather chose not to put it into practice. It’s possible to be in spaces like church, or do your quiet time in Scripture and not put what you have read or heard into practice. This faith walk requires intentionality. We become like the foolish man when we hear God’s Word but don’t apply and walk in it.

Why must we build on God’s Word? Because it’s the Truth. In whatever time, space, or season we are in, His Word will always remain true, it doesn’t change. It’s deeper than just words on a page - whatever Christ is, the Word is also. That’s why building on the foundations of Truth will always stand the test of time and in strength. Our feelings will never change the validity and truth of His Word; neither will our circumstances and what we see around us. Using physical buildings as an analogy, foundations play vital roles in supporting the load of the entire building for various seasons and weather conditions. For taller structures, it is imperative that the foundations are deep. Just like physical buildings must be built to stand regardless of the weather conditions, may we be like the wise man who chooses to build on an unshakable foundation. By submitting, walking, and trusting the Authority of God’s Word, despite the season, we come to know that God’s Word reigns true regardless and is therefore the best foundation to build on.

In Matthew 3, we witness Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by Satan at the end of a 40-day fast. In all three attempts to make Jesus fall, Satan begins each attempt with “If you are the Son of God...” In the previous Scripture, just before Jesus is driven to the wilderness by the Spirit of God to fast, God announces and affirms Jesus' identity after His baptism by saying “This is my Son who I love and I am well pleased”. What we see in the wilderness is Satan questioning the very Word that God had spoken to Christ approximately 40 days before. In all attempts, Jesus responds to Satan with a sentence beginning with “It is written...” After 40 days of fasting, it’s likely that Jesus might have been weak yet He didn’t give in to the temptations of the enemy or attack Satan or come up with another strategy other than what had already been written, the final Authority of His Father’s Word.

Like Jesus, let us make the active choice to build on the foundation of God’s Word; to not be like the foolish man but to build on a foundation that can never be shaken. The result? We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.