How to Stand When Everything Around You Falls

"If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love?" Everyone wants a life that can stand in the storm. Jesus tells us that the life that stands is the life that remains in His love. And the way we remain in His love is by keeping His commands. But we cannot keep what we do not know. So where do we find the commands of Jesus so we can keep them? You may not know this about Jesus- He placed all His commands in His words. He said the man who hears His words and obeys them is like a builder who dug down deep until he reached the rock- the solid base beneath the shifting soil- and built his house on that rock. (Mt 7:24-25; Lk 6:47-48) And when the storm hit, his house stood. Why? Because it was built on the rock. I used to think the rock was His teaching. But that's not what Jesus said. The rock is not merely hearing His words. The rock is not merely knowing His words. The rock is knowing and obeying His words. The man dug down deep to reach the rock. And once he found it, he built his life on obedience to what Jesus said. Digging deep requires effort. It is hard work made easier when done with others. But the reward is like finding gold nuggets- truths Jesus taught that can be studied and obeyed. "I have treasured Your word in my heart that I may not sin against You." (Ps 119:11) And the outcome is a life of joy and stability that can withstand the storms of life that will surely hit. His love gives me the desire to obey. His Spirit gives me the power to obey. And His words give me the foundation that can withstand any storm. REFLECTION QUESTION Where am I trying to obey Jesus without first hearing Him? WHAT THIS MEANS TO ME I cannot obey what I do not know. I must return to His words so His words can shape my life. PRAYER Father, teach me to hear the words of Jesus and to obey them. Let His voice be the foundation beneath every choice I make. In Jesus' name, Amen.