Daily Devotional, January 3, 2023 Demolition Job

"He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built." 
Luke 6:48

A friend recently inherited his ancestral home. Value-wise, the property is in a good location and will surely increase its worth over time. The house however is in bad shape. Apart from obvious signs of deterioration, a contractor has confirmed that the structure lacks the firm foundation needed to withstand future calamities. It has also become a fire hazard.  

My friend however is having second thoughts about pursuing the contractor’s recommendation. He does not have the heart to have his family home demolished, thinking that apart from the memories, there could still be more that could be salvaged from the current structure. 
His dilemma can be likened to a person who is still deciding if he would fully surrender his life to Jesus Christ and follow Him. Imagine a troublesome and wayward person who is trying his best to make a turn around, but remains enamored with worldly pursuits.

He wants to change, and he knows he has to eliminate sins from his life, but he is afraid to live his life without the pleasures afforded by his worldly ways. Because of his reluctance, he is missing his full potential and setting himself up for failure when challenges come. Very akin to the ancestral property that could be turned into a safer, better, and income generating structure if only my friend was willing to demolish it.

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming." 
Colossians 3:5-6

As Christians we have to recognize that for us to follow and surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, we should let go of our worldly ways. The only way to say that we truly abide in Him, and live in the peace that only our Creator can give is through full obedience.

“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 2 Timothy 2:19

Demolishing sins from our life maybe hard, inconvenient, and could cost us money, social connections, comfort, and pleasures but it is all worth it in the end. By removing all these hazardous structures in our minds, hearts and spirits, we can start building on a firm foundation that is Jesus Christ.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 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. 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. 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.” 
Matthew 7:24-27

While a life founded and anchored in Christ does not promise to be problem-free, it is a life filled with joy and peace. True followers of the Lord are aware and secure that no matter how dark the valleys they may have to go through, or no matter how ferocious the lions they may meet, and deep the waters they get submerged into, the Lord will be there to walk with them, guide them, and carry them through.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

Yes, a life anchored in the Lord is not a guarantee of a life teeming with material possessions, BUT it is definitely a life marked with contentment. An existence that is filled with overwhelming gratitude to the One True King who will never allow our foundation to be shaken.

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on  1 John 2:15-17, 1 Cor 3:11-15 and Colossians 3:1-17 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Where is your life anchored right now? Who do you hold onto when you are shaken?

Conversation with the Lord:  Almighty Father, I praise and thank you for being the wonderful Savior that you are. For offering us the best foundation in this life, and life with you in eternity. Give me the confidence to surrender everything to you and anchor my faith to you alone. Amen.