No man willingly wants to fail! We all want to prosper. We all have a desire to have stability, not just for ourselves but also for our family and loved ones. So, how can we avoid failure, not just for us but also those around us? How do we gain wisdom and avoid folly?
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures (Proverbs 24:3-4).
In the book of Luke, we are told that there are two types of men—those who are wise builders and those who are foolish builders. Foolish builders build their houses on sand. A foundation built on sand is not stable. There are no footings, reinforced concrete, or treated wood. Weak houses built on shifting sand are just waiting for the storm that will cause the house to collapse, destroying everything.
Wise builders start with solid ground. They dig a deep foundation on rock with reinforced concrete and treated wood. When storms come, which they will, the wise builder’s house stands firm. It doesn’t collapse, like the foolish builder’s house. So, how can we as men know our house is built on solid ground and is strong enough to weather all storms?
It’s simple: hear and practice. Jesus tells us that any man who hears the Word of God and puts it into practice is like a wise man who builds a strong house that won’t fall. Meanwhile, men who don’t hear the Word of God and don’t put it into practice build unstable houses on shifting sand.
Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete (Luke 6:46-49).
Men, Jesus reveals a powerful truth: storms will inevitably arise in our lives. We all face challenges in life, whether it’s related to our health, jobs, marriage, or family––trials are part of our journey, and preparing to weather them is crucial. Men who listen to the Word of God and put it into practice are carried through the storm and reach the other side. When we seek His will and ways and practice them daily, we become wise men willing to follow the blueprint (the Bible) from the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Wise builders focus on two tasks. First, hearing the Word of God, and second, putting it into practice. Hearing and practice will carry us through––whether in a storm or waiting for the next one.
Have a great weekend!
Stephen L. Thomas
RTM