Matthew 7:24-25 The Message
24-25 “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.
Matthew 7:24-25 The Message
24-25 “These words I speak to you
(First of all, God is speaking to me. No matter what the enemy tells me about being alone in the midst of everything I am going through, I am far from alone. And not only am I not alone, but my God is speaking to me…
He isn’t speaking to me about what He is upset with me about, it isn’t to shame me or put me in my place because I am wrong or displeasing to Him. It is relational. He is speaking to me. I have access to the Father God, who loves me deeply. His Holy Spirit lives within me and is always sharing with my spirit, the revelation of who God is to me and how I am literally ingrafted within Christ. Not only is the Holy Spirit in me, but I AM IN CHRIST. I reside forever in place within the Beloved that is seated next to the right hand of God. When God looks at me, He sees me enshrouded in the written Word that He has spoken in the manifested embodiment of Christ – The Word made flesh. And to take it even a step further, He sees me literally within the “IT IS FINISHED” covenant of the Blood that was shed for me and the resurrection that was completed. That is how God sees me, as He speaks to me.
are not incidental additions to your life,
(The Word that God speaks has the power to produce, nothing returns void. The teachings that Jesus was sharing weren’t inconsequential. They wouldn’t occur naturally through the knowledge of life experience.)
homeowner improvements to your standard of living.
(They weren’t adornments or add-ons to raise the value of this life. They significantly add value to my life and to the quality of life I live within the revelation of what “eternal life” and “life more abundantly” means here in this lifetime. To see them as mere upgrades would lower the implication and structure of my life, because I could think they can be done without if they challenge me to grow in areas I am not ready to surrender.)
They are foundational words, words to build a life on.
(This is the powerful part. They are literally the building blocks and mortar to build my life on. If you have ever wondered “What is this all for?” Jesus’ Words hold the answer. I can count on His Words to be truth for me. And if He says that I can build my life on them, they hold power and authority to shift things for my good.)
If you work these words into your life,
(Some would get frustrated by these words because they appear conditional. How many times have I heard, “Oh great! Another thing God tells me I have to do [to be worthy].” Actually, these aren’t a have-to, they are a “get to”. As difficult as it is to change our way of doing things, and we would prefer that God just makes it happen – it goes back to seed, time and then harvest. The Words produce because they have creative life. As I apply them to the very foundation of what I stand on it produces what I need to build a foundation. A foundation that can hold the weight of all God has for me. Even the very words of prophecy that encourage me, because of the greatness they hold for my future are stabilized by this foundation. Without the stability of a strong foundation, I would naturally carry the weight of my call and assignment.)
you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house.
(Inevitably, I will face good times and times of difficulty, some very challenging. But this is a promise, straight from the mouth of Christ [with all of His anointing]: No matter what comes nothing will move me or wash me out to a sea of hopelessness. I will remain a safe haven for not only my own dreams but also as a shelter for others’.)
It was fixed to the rock.
(Back to it not all being about me and my ability during the storm, I can rely and remain attached to what is “already finished”. I can rest assured that I am protected by the Rock, because I am actually found within Him and His Word.)
*End Note: The time of growth and foundation building is one of deep intimacy with a loving God. Those times are where He reveals Himself and the great love that He has for me, without reserve. Within this intimate place, the growth comes with a sweetness of being safe and not a painful tearing of my will. He walks me through the growing pains and even unfolds the love within me for myself.