January 8 Daily Devotional

He built his house on the rock

(For the picture of the man who built on sand, see January 6-7)

The wise man ... has one great desire, and that is to build durably. So he starts by saying, "I do not know much about this; I am not an expert in these matters; wisdom dictates therefore that I should consult people who do know. I want to have plans and specifications; I want some guidance and some instruction. I know men can build houses quickly, but I want a house that will last. There are many things that may happen, which will test my ideas of construction and my house."

That Is the essence of wisdom. The wise man takes trouble to find out all he can; he holds himself in check and does not allow his feelings and emotions or his enthusiasm to carry him away. He desires knowledge, truth, and understanding; is ready to respond to the exhortations of the book of Proverbs which urges us to seek and to covet wisdom.... He is not prepared to take risks and does not rush off in a hurry; he thinks before he acts....

When the house is built it is already too late. The time for examination is at the very beginning. [The wise and the foolish builders] and their operations must be watched when they are prospecting and planning and choosing the site and location. The time to watch your jerry-builder is at the beginning, to see what he does as regards laying a foundation. It is not enough just to look at the house when it is completed.

Indeed, [the house without foundations] may look better than the other...; ultimately the most important thing about a house is the foundation. This is a truth which is frequently emphasized in the Bible. The foundation, which seems so insignificant and unimportant because it is out of sight, is nevertheless the most vital and important thing of all. If the foundation is wrong everything else must be wrong.

Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, ii, pp. 299-300

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“Text reproduced from ‘A First Book of Daily Readings’ by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, published by Epworth Press 1970 & 1977 © Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. Used with permission.”

Comments on D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, A First Book of Daily Readings

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