STORM SANCTUARY
TREES UPROOTED IN STORM CRUSH SEVERAL CARS

Matthew 7:24-29
24 "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, 29 because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

The headline screamed for attention on the front page of The Sunday Times. There had been a sudden thunderstorm the day before. But I had been rooted in the comfort of my own home, so the storm only made me feel drowsy throughout the day. Reading the headline in the newspaper the next day surprised me.

The news story described how the thunderstorm wreaked havoc in the western, southern, and central parts of Singapore. In the southwest part of the island, where the wind was particularly strong, it brought down at least five trees. Fortunately, no one had been hurt.

I thought about those trees that were uprooted in a storm--they had been pried free from their foundation. It made me think of Jesus' parable about a house that is built on sand. The story He told in Matthew 7 reminds us to build our foundation on the Word of God, so that when the storms come we will not falter. The psalmist compared such a wise person to a tree planted by the waters, yielding fruit in season with no withering leaves (Psalm 1:1-3).

Being rooted in the Word will help us through the storms of life. During uncertain times of war, economic downturn, and deadly diseases, we face many "storms," but we can trust God to give us a firm foundation of peace (John 14:27).

We can enter into the peace of God which transcends all understanding by sinking our roots deep into His Word. --Joanna Lim

DESTINATION POINTS

* Are there storms in my life (studies, work, social, or family)? How can I apply the Word to my situation?
* Do I have friends who are experiencing the storms of life? How can I be an encouragement to them?

LINKS:
Surviving The Storms Of Stress
http://www.discoveryseries.org/hp011

bottom line: God's Word helps us stand firm in life's storms.

soul journey