What Foundation Are You Building Your House On?
Do you remember that song:
“Don’t build your house on the sandy land
Don’t build it too near the shore
Oh it might be kind of nice
But you’ll have to do it twice
And you’ll have to build your house once more
You better build your house upon the rock
And put a sure foundation on the solid spot
And though the storms may come and go
Peace of God you’ll know.”
If that’s too modern for you … think about the song : “The wise man built his house upon a rock … ” 
Way back when, when I sang the above songs as a child and teenager, I used to wonder why people would build their houses on the sand when I couldn’t even get my sandcastle to stay standing up. A few years ago, I decided to go do some research to find out what Jesus was referring to when He talked about people building their house on the sand.
At the time of my research, I found some images but, have been unable to find them this time around but apparently what was referred to in that passage in Matthew’s gospel (7:24-26) was sandstone. Sandstone forms to look like hard, though often flat, rock and you could dig deep to get what might appear to be a perfect foundation – rock solid. However, over time, (and we’re talking years) rain softens the stone, without notice and then one day, the foundation will collapse and the house will literally fall flat. And, because the house collapses from the foundation, you can imagine the magnitude of the damage as the house falls flat and hence the reason Jesus says “and great will be the fall.”
Notice my point above, that it could take years for the rain to penetrate the sandstone foundation but that the fall of the house is sudden – no warning, no subsidence, just BAM!
I would suggest that most born-again believers would wager with anyone that they’re building their lives, business, homes on the solid rock of Christ, but, I think we only have to look at the state of the Body of Christ and ask, “are we really.”
How many of us are driven by religious activities rather than the grace of God – we think that by “doing” things, we earn God’s blessing and love.
How many of us think the louder we shout when we pray, the more likely our prayers are going to be heard.
How many of us are “waiting” for our healing instead of confessing the truth that by the stripes of Jesus we were (past tense) healed and then receive it by faith.
How many of us are “waiting” for God to move His hand without really understanding that the redemptive work of Salvation was already done through Christ, therefore, by faith, we appropriate what God has already done through His grace.
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it ~ Psalm 127:1
Disagree with me if wish, but I think there is far too much activity right now in the Body of Christ without any corresponding manifestation, and the world is waiting to see the glory of God.
I think it’s time for us to revisit our foundation so that whatever we build – our home, our business, our lives, we are building them on Christ the solid rock and not a replica of the real thing.
Until next time,
Photo By Travis Bell
About Trish Jones
I’m with you on that one. I’m allergic to religion…so was Jesus!
I like that Jeanne … “allergic to religion.”
Excellent article!
I like that you bring out that it may take YEARS for the foundation to fully manifest it’s weak foundation. What causes my heart to sing is that the whole world is waiting for believers to awaken, to rise up, to fully manifest the life of God within us…. it’s time for change, right at the foundation of our faith.
I was professionally involved in religion as a career path, and I had no idea how weak my foundation was. In dreams, God was showing me my house was dangerously flooding, and finally crashing down. How merciful He is to warn us of the danger.
At the time I even had Matthew 7 memorized! Memorized but not truly applied. Knowledge without application is folly. I was the foolish woman who had built her house on sand. To warn people about the danger is an act of mercy and to help them rebuild is an act of grace.
I love your heart, Trish!
What a great article to remind us where we NEED to be! I’ve been caught up in the “works” life and mentality for so long and am just now seeing the light. The scary thing is I’ve always known about the works kind of life and always thought I was so far from it. I have come to realize that it’s one thing to say you trust in Him and a totally different thing to actually DO IT. Thanks for your encouraging words to stay strong on our rock solid foundation in Christ!
Such wise words Trish. Whatever we do in life we need to do it from a firm foundation. And for me the building stones are God’s word, the love of Jesus and the strength of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for the explanation of what Jesus meant by sand. I guess I had always just taken it literally that He was referring to sand like on a beach or other very sandy soil.
I agree that our activities need to be for God’s glory rather than our own.. our focus is so easily shifted off the solid foundation of our Salvation.