FOR many years nothing seemed wrong with the house. I often passed it on the way to work, and the family who lived in the house was comfortable there. Then one day a power shovel came and began to dig a huge hole in the empty lot next to the house. There were many office buildings nearby, and a parking garage was to be built on the empty lot.
The power shovel dug a hole about 20 feet deep, and then workmen went in with hand shovels to dig out the dirt close to the house. It was not long before so much dirt had been dug out that the foundation of the house could be seen. It was a great mistake. But it was soon plain to see that the builders of the house had made an even bigger mistake. The foundation of the house had been built on layers of sand and clay-one of the worst possible combinations for a foundation. One day without any warning, the whole house tumbled into the hole, furniture and all!
That house built on the sand had been in use for many years, but when a test came, it tumbled. The Bible says that anyone who does not build his life on the Word of God is just like the unwise person who builds his house on the sand. Jesus said, “Every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:26,27.
If all that matters in your life is good times, hobbies, education or a career, and you leave out God and His Word, your life is like the house that fell into the hole. When real tests come or when you are facing death, you will find that those things are of no help. They will be worth nothing when you stand before God, your Creator. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12.
Is your life built on God’s Word? Have you admitted to yourself and to God that His Word is true when it says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”? Romans 3:23. Have you accepted God’s remedy for your sins? “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.
The family had no warning that their house was going to fall, and if everyone hadn’t been away they all would have been killed. The last time I saw the house, someone was down in the hole playing on the broken piano! You have had a warning, right now from this little paper, and you need to be ready to stand before God. The Word of God says, “Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12. You can be ready by simply coming to the Lord Jesus for salvation. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.
Are you building your life on a foundation that will crumble-on things that are worthless? Remember the house that fell into the hole and come to the Lord Jesus today. “The foundation of God standeth sure.” 2 Timothy 2:19. “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock.” Psalm 40:2.
ML-04/14/1991