Building Faith on a Firm Foundation

I am always amazed at people who are able to maintain beautiful gardens. My attempts to nurture tender buds typically produce very limited results.

I remember one day, years ago, when I went out to cut the grass and noticed a problem with the beautiful clematis flowers I had carefully planted. They were spread out on the ground because, for some reason, these climbing flowers were no longer attached to the trellis. As I looked closer, I realized that the two plants had started clinging to each other instead of to the wooden slats. 

The image of those tangled flowers always reminds me of what happens when we cling to something or someone other than the Lord. 

The decision to depend on anything other than Him always proves to be a foolish one. All false idols will eventually be proven unreliable.

First Samuel chapter 5 tells the story of a time when the Philistines had captured the ark of the covenant, the symbol of God's holy presence.

They carried the ark into the temple of the false god they worshipped named Dagon. 

When they awoke the next day, Dagon had fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord. They took Dagon and put him back in his place. But the following morning, Dagon was once again on his face on the ground before the ark and this time his head and hands had been broken off.

Our God is a jealous God who will never be content with second place.

He is the only one worthy of our worship, and when we put our trust in anything other than Him, we have created a false idol that will ultimately crumble.

Isaiah 33:6 says:

He will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. 

We can always depend on our faithful and loving heavenly Father to lead us and guide us, providing everything we need. He is the one and only firm foundation.

So, where are you putting your trust today? Is it in your own wisdom, your talents, or your strength? Is it in a person or group or organization? We must put our faith and trust in the One who will never fail us. 

Let's pray.

Lord, we know that You alone are faithful. Please show us if we are beginning to put our trust in anything or anyone other than You. You are our firm foundation, and we want to build our lives on You, our solid rock. Thank You for Your faithfulness and Your unfailing love. We give You praise and we worship You alone. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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 Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.