Built on the Rock

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:24-27

Jamie stacked one block on top of another. They wobbled, then crashed to the ground. He picked them up and tried again, carefully lining them up as he stacked them. He was able to add a couple more blocks this time before the tower tumbled over.

“I can’t do this!” Jamie cried, throwing a block down.

Mom came in from the kitchen. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

Jamie sighed. “I’m trying to build a tower, but my blocks keep falling down.”

His mother knelt beside him. “Sometimes,” she said, pushing four blocks together into a square, “we need a bigger base to build a solid tower. Without a good foundation, the tower falls.”

She placed a block on the foundation. “People are like blocks. We need a good foundation to keep from crumbling apart.” She placed another block on the tower. “The Bible calls Jesus a cornerstone to build our lives on.”

“What’s a cornerstone?” Jamie asked.

“A cornerstone is the most important stone in a foundation—it creates a solid base to build on. In the parable Jesus told of the wise and foolish builders, the wise man built his house on rock, and the foolish man built on sand. When the rains came down and the winds blew, the foolish man’s house washed away, but the wise man’s house—”

“Didn’t fall over!” Jamie said. He put the next block on the tower. It didn’t wobble.

“Exactly. Jesus is our Rock. When we put our trust in Him, we have a solid foundation, just like the wise builder. Then we will be strong and not crumble when hard or scary things happen, because we know Jesus has saved us and will help us through any difficulties we face. We can be strong in Jesus when life’s storms come our way.”

Jamie put the last block on the tower. It didn’t wobble or fall. “Look! It’s standing!” he said. He grinned at his mother. “A strong foundation for blocks is important. But Jesus is the strongest foundation of all!” • Cathryn Free

How About You?

What are some hard or scary things you’re facing in your life? Are your parents going through a divorce? Did you move to a new town or a new school? We all face storms in life, but Jesus promises to love us and take care of us through them all. When we put our trust in Him, we can find strength and courage in His love, even when things are hard. Be a wise builder and build your life on the Rock—Jesus. (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.)

Today’s Key Verse:
Isaiah 28:16 Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem…a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus is our Rock