The Builders

    "Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."

    These are the closing words of that famous sermon which our Lord Jesus preached upon the mount. They are like the binding sheaves which bind on all the rest. As there are now, so there were then, two sorts of people. Some were hearers only. They are likened to one that built upon the sand. Others were doers also. They are likened to one that built upon a rock. We are all builders. The question is what we build upon—the rock, or the sand.

    What is this "house?" Our hopes of heaven.

    What is this "rock?" Christ. On him the wise build: "Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste." "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Those build upon this rock that hear Christ's words and do them.

    What is the sand? Bare hearing of the word of God.

    What is the storm? Death and judgment. There is a dying time coming. That will try the building. Before that day comes a storm may come: a time of trouble, and trial, and temptation. Man is "born to trouble," and "born again" to trouble. Then happy they who have built upon the rock. But if not, where will you be ?" What will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far P to whom will ye flee for help? And where will ye leave your glory?" By the distress and trouble that is in such a day, we may infer what it will be when death comes. Now the building may b# mended. Not so then. There is no repentance in the grave.

    The only way to make sure work for our souls is to hear and do the words of the Lord Jesus.