Stability in the Storm {Part 4 of 4} Dig Down Deep

A popular Sunday school song I learned as a child goes like this…

The wise man built his house upon the rock, his house upon the rock, his house upon the rock.  The wise man built his house upon the rock and the rain came tumbling down.

Oh, the rain came down

And the floods came up

The rain came down

And the floods came up

The rain came down

And the floods came up

The foolish man built his house upon the sand, his house upon the sand, his house upon the sand.  The foolish man built his house upon the sand and the rain came tumbling down.

Oh, the rain came down

And the floods came up

The rain came down

And the floods came up

The rain came down

And the floods came up

And the foolish man's house went "splat!"

Isn’t funny how a song can stay with you your whole life?  This song is based off of a passage in Luke which speaks of the wise and foolish builders.  This section of Luke 6:46-49 is the final part of Jesus’s talk and not only concludes this series of Stability in the Storm, but concludes Jesus’ thoughts to the crowd of hearers.  These people listening were from all walks of life and all stages of faith, or lack thereof.  They came because they needed healing, deliverance, and a touch from the Messiah and the Word says that power was coming from him and healing them all. (Luke 6:19)  I think Jesus had their attention! 

This talk began in Luke 6:17 and to really understand what Jesus is trying to communicate can be found repeatedly throughout his talk and concluded at the end.  It is the message that if we call Jesus Lord, then we hear his words and then go do them.  Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”  What is it that Jesus is saying that we need to do and put into practice?  Looking back over the entire talk, you will see that Jesus is saying this:

     Love your enemies

     Do good to your enemies

     Lend to others without expectation of them returning the favor

     Give to others

     Speak good things (words); agreeable, joyful, happy, upright, honorable

Want to explore these deeper?  Look back at Stability in the Storm {Part1}, {Part 2},{Part 3}. Take the time to read this talk in its entirety in Luke 6:17-49.  Read it with the thought in mind that the hearers of this talk, heard it in one sitting.  It wasn’t broken up into sections the way our bibles have done so.   Each paragraph related to the previous one in thought, just as a speech should.  Let the Word speak to you today as if you are one of the people in the crowd, hearing this for the first time.  Hear his words.

In the conclusion of his talk, Jesus says that the one who hears his words and puts them into practice is like (v. 48) “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.” Jesus is also saying that the person who hears and does his words, had to dig down deep to attain stability for the coming storm. 

He put in the effort, and did what it took by doing what the Word says.

That’s the digging!

The obedience is the effort, stability on the rock is the reward!  The storms of life will come but because the one who is wise has heard and put into practice what the Word says, that person will remain stable.  Unshakable. 

This passage isn’t just for the people of that day, but now, more than ever, we need stability in our unstable world.  Everyone has the same opportunity to reach out towards Jesus, to dig down deep and not only hear his words, but apply them and do them as well.  When the storms come, and they always come whether you are a Jesus follower or not, will you be ready?  He’s told us how to become stable; unshakable when the storms do strike.  It’s up to you, are you willing to dig down deep?