Matthew 7:24-27

Teresa Phillips

I am a primary school teacher and have the joys of teaching the children lots of cute songs. I love watching them doing the actions and singing their hearts out. One song that the little kids particularly love is 'The wise and the foolish man.' You may know it from your own childhood. As the children build houses out of imaginary bricks using their clenched fists, competing with each other in order to make the highest house, they sing, 'the wise man built his house upon the rock.' If you don't know the song, it tells a story of how a foolish man built his house upon sand, which later fell down after storms prevailed, leaving the house built on the rock standing firm (Matthew 7:24-27).

Let's apply this principle to Jesus. He was ready for life on earth. When satan tempted Him, Jesus was ready; he knew all the scriptures to combat him when he attacked him verbally (Matthew 4:1-11). When the Pharisees accused and scorned him, he didn't let it discourage him. He knew he was the Messiah. He was ready. When he was confronted by a man who was filled with many demons (Mark 5:1-17), he was not scared; he was ready to cast them out. Jesus knew life wouldn't be easy and so was prepared for the storms.

The Bible says that good and bad things will inevitably happen to the righteous and the unrighteous (Mark 5:45). I don't want to preach a message of doom and gloom, but will you be able to withstand difficulties in life? If satan tempts or taunts you, will you know the Bible enough and be wise enough to know how to handle it? If people are horrible to you will you be able to get on with life? If you are faced with a difficult and scary challenge, will you know who you are in Jesus?

Mark, in chapter 13, says 'be ready' or 'be careful' 7 times. This is obviously something he was trying to emphasise! So how can we be ready?

• Practice and yearn after wisdom so that you can judge situations calmly and wisely - Proverbs 1:20-2:8


• Apply the armour of God to your life - Ephesians 6:10-18


• Make God a daily part of your life so that you are completely dependent on him


• Know your Bible; it's a two-edged sword! - Hebrews 4:12

Although satan doesn't have even a zillionth of God's power, he does roam the earth looking to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). And inevitably, difficult circumstances will arise at some point. There's no need to be constantly awaiting doom. Just be ready. Your faith is the most precious thing you could possibly possess. Make sure it isn't washed away by the storms.