Build consistently upon the Rock
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits… Psalm 103:2
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6
When I taught younger grades, I encouraged my students to frequently quiz themselves on their math facts. That way, they would be able to recall sums and differences, products and quotients at the speed of thought—not at the speed of tapping fingers or after finding a calculator. And with practice, even the more math-phobic ones among them could hold their own.
Youngsters need to review their math facts repeatedly until those answers are as retrievable as their birthday or the name of their favorite pet. In my opinion, such “drill and kill” preparations don’t create math-phobia (especially if conducted in a positive environment where stickers or Jolly Ranchers are involved); such practice actually frees students from one more reason to be math-phobic—I can’t remember anything; I’m just stupid in math!
Jesus spoke of the man who heard the Word and acted upon it, likening him to a wise builder who chose to construct his house on solid rock. He emphasized building on bedrock before the storms arose; and despite the time and effort needed to do so, the alternative—an express-house built on the sand—just wouldn’t be able to withstand the tempest.
Jesus placed great importance upon hearing His word and acting upon it in a consistent, life-building way. If you have accepted the challenge from Jesus to live with determined, intentional hearing and acting—like that child who regularly repeats her math facts—then when the rains fall, the floods come, and the winds blow and slam against your life, you will be able to withstand it all. You will pass the test.
One way to help yourself be consistent with building on the Rock of your salvation is to forget none of His benefits. Remind yourself again and again of the wonderful benefits of your connection with the Lord. Psalm 103 lists them. He:
- pardons all your sins
- heals all your diseases
- redeems your life from the pit
- crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion
- satisfies your years with good things
- renews your youth like the eagle
Like that child learning her multiplication tables, it wouldn’t hurt to build this six-point list into your spiritual memory so that it instantly comes to mind the second you need it.
Another way to consistently build upon the solid foundation of Jesus is to remind yourself frequently of the wonderful things He has done in your life. When I feel attacked and defeated, I will often use my prayer time to review aloud before God all of the sweet, miraculous, remarkable, and kind things He has done for me personally. I’ve learned that as long as my eyes are on my problems and how bad I feel, I won’t ever truly see God as my help in times of trouble, and therefore, it’s impossible to go before Him in faith. But when I start reminding Him of what He has done for me in the past, it isn’t long before joy and praise, confidence and faith arise within me, abolishing despair and defeat. And now I’m in faith, and although I still have no clue how He’ll get me out of this one, I know He will!
A third way to build on that sturdy foundation of the Lord is to acknowledge Him in all your ways. How do you do this? When I was a young believer, I practiced talking to Him about whatever I was doing; I even asked His opinion once about whether I should get Coke or Dr Pepper on a road trip (I was pretty sure He suggested DP).
As silly as my soda inquiry sounds, an important aspect of building on the Rock of your salvation is to keep the lines of communication open. And that means acknowledging Him in all of your ways.
I also remember realizing after I had forgotten for several weeks to keep a running conversation going with the Lord, that I was shocked at the difference in the way life felt when I consistently talked to God versus when I didn’t. My conclusion in those early days? Life felt better when I kept up a conversation with God. And you know something? Nearly forty years later, it still does!
Let’s review. Three ways to build on the Rock and to keep your connection with Jesus tight are:
- Forget none of His benefits.
- Regularly review aloud all the good things that God has done for you.
- In all your ways, acknowledge Him.
May you find great joy and security as you build your life on the Rock!
Dorothy
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23