Two Hearers

Whether it is from getting older, my chronic fatigue, or trying to multi-task when my husband is talking to me, I often have to ask him to pause and repeat what he said. I hear his words, but it isn’t processing and likely won’t result in me acting on the conversation. I have to put aside other thoughts or actions and focus on what he is saying. I don’t want to merely hear the words, but I want to engage with him in the conversation and be able to respond.

I read today’s passage recently. It was familiar to me as I’m sure it is to you, but I think my perception of the passage was based on the children’s song.

1. The wise man built his house upon the Rock, (3x) And the rains came tumbling down. The rains came down and the floods came up, (3x) But the house on the Rock stood firm.

2. The foolish man built his house upon the sand, (3x) And the rains came tumbling down. The rains came down and the floods came up, (3x) And the house on the sand fell flat.

3. So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ, (3x) The blessings come down as your prayers go up, (3x) So build your life on the Lord.[1]

The song reflects much of the passage, but it also doesn’t bring out all the details in Matthew 7:24-27.

Build Your House on the Rock

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” [2]

Previously, my focus was on the wise man versus the foolish man, rock foundation versus sand foundation. The foundation is important, of course, but there were other truths that struck me as I read through it this time and gave me an even fuller understanding of our foundation, Jesus.

First, both the wise man and the foolish man heard Jesus’ words. I’ve always glossed over this, but I think it is important. We can delude ourselves into thinking we are wise because we read and hear God’s Word, but Jesus teaches that the foolish man has heard His words too. The wise man and foolish man hear the same message. They both read the Bible or hear it taught, but they respond differently. We can read and hear God’s Word and obey it (wise), or we can read and hear it but ignore it (foolish). Hearing and doing means dying to self.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 1:22

Matthew Henry says, “It is possible for people to admire good preaching, and yet to remain in ignorance and unbelief; to be astonished, and yet not sanctified.”[3]

Second, both the wise man and the foolish man experienced a storm. Being hearers and doers of God’s Word does not exclude the wise from experiencing storms. Peter wrote, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

The words in Greek that Jesus used express a violent storm. Rain was infrequent in the area, but when it came, it could be a violent rainstorm. We see this reflected in the “the floods came.” We lived in Las Vegas for eight years. It did not rain often, but when it did, it could create flash floods. The ground was so dry and hard that the rain could not soak in quick enough. One time in particular, my husband was trying to get home from work. He finally had to park the car down from our house, wade through about four feet high water, and hop the wall into our backyard. Added to the violent rainstorm and flooding, Jesus says the “winds blew and beat against the house.”

Storms will come but be encouraged that they can be a time of growth. James says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4).

Third, both men built a house. The houses may have been built exactly the same except for one thing – the foundation. Just as the storm revealed the quality of the foundation, so the storms in our lives reveal our hearts. No matter how good the house looks on the outside, if it is not built on the right foundation, it will SPLAT! (See the Veggie Tales’ lyrics for “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man”.)

That foundation is Jesus Christ who is unchanging. Storms may come, but we can stand firm in our faith because Jesus our Rock cannot be moved. He alone can command the storm, “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 5:35-41).

He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 62:2

When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.

Proverbs 10:25

Reflection

1. Are you hearing God’s Word? Are you regularly reading the Bible and attending corporate worship to hear the preaching of God’s Word? If not, plan today to begin reading God’s Word on your own. There are many Bible apps available that can help you know what to read and keep track of what you’ve read. Or just start somewhere. Choose something that is doable so you can make it a habit. Ask a friend to join you in your reading plan.

2. Are you a doer of God’s Word? Is God’s Word transforming you to be more like Jesus? How are you or how can you build on what you are hearing? This may include meditating on, memorizing, or discussing Scripture with someone else. It can also mean finding one thing you are going to put into practice from what you have read.

3. Have you been deceiving yourself that you are wise simply because you read or hear God’s Word? Pray and ask God to show you if this is true.

4. What do the storms in your life reveal about your foundation? Jesus is the only foundation that will stand firm. Even as you obey God’s Word, are you standing firm in your faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross? We can joyfully respond in obedience to God’s Word because we know that we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus who paid the penalty for our sin. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh” (Galatians 3:2-3)? We, like the Galatians, believed we are saved by faith in Jesus’ atoning work on the cross, but then we continue as if our works earned us favor with God.

5. Listen to “On Christ, the Solid Rock I Stand.”

[1] Omley, Ann. “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man.” 1948. [2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 7:24–27. [3] “Christ, Our Solid Foundation”. Ligonier.org, March 24, 2008, https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/christ-our-solid-foundation