Read: Hebrews 11:8-12 (NIV)
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
– Hebrews 11:10 (NIV)
It was 10:33am; my wife and I were enjoying our morning coffee and figuring out what we would be doing for the rest of the day. Along with most of the country, we were off work for the Independence Day holiday. Suddenly, there was a rumbling. The floor started vibrating, followed by the light fixtures swaying, and the leaves on the plants shaking. My wife jumped up and frantically proclaimed, “We are having an earthquake!”
As the house continued to shake, I looked up to the three-foot-deep by 30-foot-long beam holding up our entire roof. Just one year earlier, we had removed all the home’s previous load-bearing walls and installed the large beam to create an open-concept kitchen/living room area. I quickly called out to my wife to move out from under the massive beam and we both scurried to stand under a nearby door header. As the rumbling and shaking continued, we both started to feel nauseated from the movement. After about a minute the earthquake subsided and I began an investigation to see if the house had sustained any damage. To my relief the house was fine; when we installed the new beam the structural engineer had us upgrade all the home’s foundations to the newest California earthquake codes. We were safe because our home was on good foundations.
Hebrews 11:9-10 refers to Abraham, when he listened to God and moved to the Promised Land. Abraham lived in tents but was looking forward to the “City with Foundations.” This city with foundations, of course, is Heaven and the foundation is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). As a builder, I know how to erect many types of structures, which always include good, solid foundations. But even the foundations built by the best engineers and contractors will eventually deteriorate and fail. I am so thankful that the foundation that Jesus provides for us will hold strong for eternity.
When we look at our lives, with what are we building our foundations? Our accomplishments? Our possessions? Our retirement savings? Our personal relationships? All these things can be good and have their place and purpose, but none of them will stand for eternity. If we truly want a strong foundation, we will put our faith in Jesus Christ, and with his help build a foundation that will last for eternity.
Thought for the Day: What do I need to do to strengthen my eternal foundation?
Prayer: Dear Lord, please guide me and direct me in the construction of a solid foundation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer Focus: Strengthening my foundation.
By The Orphan Carpenter (California, USA)
This reminds me of Jesus’ parable about the wise and foolish builders. He tells us to build our house on the rock, to put his words into practice… the storms (and earthquakes) will come but if our foundation is solid, we’ll get through the storms of life. As I am not an expert on building, I can just imagine how much more planning, time, energy, right tools, etc to build on the rock but if we ‘invest’ on doing it correctly, it is so worth it at the end…
What I found interesting is Christians I knew 30 years ago and where they are now – Now one can see more what foundations were really there.
Having finished building our house not long ago and having learned everything about foundations, I am happy to know that Jesus is the strongest foundation of all, in all eternity, not like the concrete under my house which one day will crumble and fall. Great devotional. What i like, is that all htree of your devotional has to do with construction, something so very well known by you.