Table Rock
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46-49)
A large, illuminated cross stands erect on Table Rock, a rocky plateau overlooking my hometown. Several homes were built on neighboring land, but recently the owners have been forced to move out due to safety concerns. Despite their close proximity to the firm bedrock of Table Rock, these homes aren’t secure. They have been shifting atop their foundations—nearly three inches every day—causing risk of major water pipes breaking, which would accelerate the sliding.
Jesus compares those who hear and obey His words to those who build their homes on rock (Luke 6:47–48). These homes survive the storms. By contrast, He says homes built without a firm foundation—like people who don’t heed His instruction—cannot weather the torrents.
On many occasions, I’ve been tempted to ignore my conscience when I knew God asked more of me than I had given, thinking my response had been “close enough.” Yet the homes in the shifting foothills nearby have depicted for me that being “close” is nowhere near enough when it comes to obeying Him. To be like those who built their homes on a firm foundation and withstand the storms of life that so often assail us, we must heed the words of our Lord completely.
Help me, Lord, to obey You fully and with my whole heart. Thank You for being my firm foundation. Amen.
God’s Word is the only sure foundation for life.
When I read this I instantly knew of what the writer was speaking of and I have been keeping tabs on the current situation with the homes shifting atop their foundations near Table Rock, but never once had I looked at it from a spiritual perspective. Wow, this blessed me and it caused me to stop and think, how many things in our lives, if we would just slow down and take a moment to reflect could God use to speak to us. If God can use something like Table Rock and the homes shifting atop their foundation to teach us something spiritually, how much more can He teach us in our daily lives if we would just pause and allow Him to speak through any given situation. I would ask today that you take a moment and look around you and find the good in just one situation and I bet you will be able to find more than one good thing, even amidst a terrible situation. What the enemy uses to hurt you, God uses to prosper you.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Luke 6:46-49
Be Merciful
I recently read. When Jesus offered His words about forgiveness in Luke 6, He was helping us understand the difference between people of grace and people without grace. Those who know His forgiveness are to be strikingly unlike everyone else. We must do what others think impossible: Forgive and love our enemies. Jesus said, “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (v. 36).
Imagine the impact in our workplaces and on our families if we were to embrace this principle. If a salute can make armies whole again, what power there must be in Christ’s grace reflected through us! Scripture gives evidence of this in Esau’s embrace of his deceitful brother (Gen. 33:4), in Zacchaeus’s joyful penance (Luke 19:1–10), and in the picture of a father racing to greet his prodigal son (Luke 15).
With the grace of Christ, may we let this be the final day of bitterness and dispute between our enemies and us.
Lord, we know how the gentle power of forgiveness can bring healing in relationships. Grant us the courage to end our conflicts by Your grace. Amen.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Luke 6:27-36