The Wise Man Built His House

He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great." – Luke 6.48-49

There is a song which I have sung, I am sure, hundreds of times. It is one of those choruses that, working with children, is a normal part of that ministry. Some children’s songs, I will admit, are silly. Some are weak, and sadly, some just teach bad doctrine. But the song I am thinking about teaching a good, godly, necessary lesson.

The song is ‘The Wise Man Built His House’ and you can see it in this blog and probably sing along. The song, and this passage tell the story of two men building their houses. One man had done the wise thing, built his house on good solid footing, and his house endured the storms. The other guy didn’t lay a good foundation. It built on sandy soil and the storms that came washed his house away.

Of course, we say, what else could have happened?

Jesus applies this by saying that the first man, who laid his foundation deep in the rock was like the man who lays his foundation in the True Rock, Jesus Himself. We are told that there is no other foundation can be laid except that which is laid in Christ.

Banks accounts and homes and jobs and friends are all good things. Family is a good thing. Spouses are good things. If, however, we lay our foundations on these things we will fail – every time.

So, as the kiddie song goes, build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ, build your life on the Lord.