Rock Solid Faith in a Shaky World

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” —Matthew 7:24-25 NLT

What rocks your faith in God? Perhaps when you have prayed in full sincerity and trust, and your prayers are not answered the way you asked. Perhaps when illness strikes or financial insecurity looms or a loved one suffers in illness, pain, and a lingering death.

At times, it’s simply hard to have faith in God. Maybe you’re living in the middle of one of those times right now. You feel like your grip is slipping as you look in bewilderment at the mess and pain and confusion that sums up your current life situation. How in the world does one hold on when nothing is as it ought to be—or at least the way we feel it ought to be?

Jesus answers our questions in a parable. He looks at the faith of one who carefully chooses the foundation for his life, a bedrock foundation that cannot be shaken, and compares him to one who chooses to build on a shaky foundation, just sand that leads to collapse.I was curious about “bedrock” and discovered that bedrock is about as solid as it gets. National Geographic describes it as “the hard solid rock beneath surface materials such as soil and gravel.” Earthobservatory.sg tells us that, “buildings on solid bedrock tend to shake less than buildings on sediments … because … [it] is much more compact.” The person who chooses solid rock for his foundation has to dig past sediment and surface sands. It’s more work. It’s harder. But it results in a home that is embedded in something incredibly stable. The other person in the parable chose the quick and easy solution to dig down just a little bit and build on sand. One house lasted. And one, of course, did not.

Oh, how can we “hit bedrock” with our faith in this shaky world of ours? Jesus reminds us to listen and follow. Here are some of His key teachings for shaky times. My hope is that His words will strengthen our grip on what is true and rock solid, so that together we can hang on—no matter what hardships may strike.

“‘I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world’” (John 16:33 NLT). Here’s the thing. Jesus warned us ahead of time that living on this earth will mean trials and sorrows. Many. So, we should not be shocked when hard things happen to us. We shouldn’t feel like we “got it wrong” somehow or that God doesn’t like us. Hardship and pain will come into our lives, but Jesus does promise us that in Him we can find peace right in the middle of it all. He tells us …

“‘… Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age’” (Matthew 28:20b). Yes! He is with us. In the midst. Even to the very end of the world. We do not go alone through this life and all its struggles. He is with us … always. And that’s not all. He understands our suffering, because He Himself has experienced ultimate suffering.

“He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. … Yet it was our [griefs] he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down” (Isaiah 53:3a, 4a NLT). He suffered more than we ever will, more than we can even imagine—all for us. He totally comprehends all our pain and our sorrow for He was carrying them on the cross. Nothing you can feel or experience is outside His notice, His compassion, or His love. And here is the end of our story: suffering is temporary and victory is certain!

“‘Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am’” (John 14:1-3 NLT). Guess what? It all ends very well. We will be with Jesus—forever—in a place too beautiful and wonderful to describe, more amazing than our limited minds can even begin to imagine. He conquered death. He has a plan to bring us to live with Him forever. And when we arrive, our joy will be complete.

Believe it. Trust it. Walk with Him through all your trials with the triumphant “knowing” that what is to come is unimaginably better than what currently is. Our assignment here on earth is to love God and love others, as He directed us, and wait with hopeful expectancy for the time when all things will be made right. Here on earth, He never promised us “easy.” He suffered. We will suffer. But we have a future that is glorious and real and when we are there? All the suffering and confusion will be over, and we will finally see the whole picture clearly and experience perfect peace and perfect rest.

Lord Jesus, help us to truly listen to Your teachings about suffering and sorrow and be wise in our response. Thank You for the immense suffering You endured on the cross in order to win Heaven for us eternally. When the “rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise,” help us to dig deep into the bedrock truths found in Your Word and hold on to them. Your Word is true. Your love is sure. Come soon, Lord Jesus! We wait with great expectancy. Amen.

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

 Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

Donate
If you’ve been blessed, keep the blessing going!
Click over to our Donation page … and thanks.

Share it. Pin it.