Today’s Daily Bread ~ For the earth will shake…

Hebrews 12:26-27 – When God spoke from Mount Sinai His voice shook the earth, but now He makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also. This means that the things on earth will be shaken, so that only eternal things will be left.”

I had never in my life given foundations a single thought until Mike and I started looking at homes.  In fact, it wasn’t until we bought our second house that I really paid them any attention. 

When Nick was born, we decided we simply needed more space.  I would spend hours on-line looking at real estate websites.  I would find a house I liked, drive out to see it, and usually find something wrong with it.  Start process again.

I can recall several occasions when I excitedly rushed out to see a particular home.  In this instance, it happened to be a foreclosure.  When I got there, a gentleman was parked in the driveway.  I was disappointed, because I wanted the freedom to roam discreetly, but I decided to walk around anyway.

You checkin’ out the house?” he called from inside his truck.  “Thinking about it,” I replied.  “You may not want to bother,” he said.  “She’s in rough shape.”

He happened to be a house flipper, and knew the realtor.  “Want to look around?”  I sized him up, decided I could take him if he attacked, and against my better judgment, agreed.  Once we walked in, I could hardly believe my eyes.

There was a crack running down the wall of one room, across the floor, all the way across the hall into the other room, and up the opposite wall.  I could fit my entire hand in it.  As I walked around, I noticed I was on a slant.

“What happened?” I asked.  He gave a half laugh, half snort.  “Wrong kind of foundation,” he answered.  “They’re just gonna have to level this and start over.  I wouldn’t buy it unless you just want the lot.”

That did it for me.  I thanked him, and headed home.  Every time Mike and I looked at a house after that, we wanted to know about the foundation right up front.

On another (yet similar) note, did you know that if you want to build in an earthquake zone, there is only one kind of foundation worth using?  It’s the most expensive, but if you want to build something that won’t topple at the first tremor, it’s the only way to go.  Steel Rebar.  You want metal opposed to concrete, because it can bend and flex without breaking. 

Steel Rebar is the best, but it’s not fool-proof by itself.  You also want to make sure you’re using the correct architectural and engineering principles.  For instance, a building that is top heavy is much more likely to collapse.  The strength of the building stems from reinforcements built upon the correct foundations.  Isn’t that just rich with Christian principles?

Christianity is so counter-intuitive.  The world tells us to place our faith in a good job, the stock market, gold, success or power.  For some of us, our spouse may be our biggest source of security.  For others, good looks.  Talent.  Being needed.  All things that can be taken from us in a split second.

The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is our cornerstone…the foundation on which we build everything else.    A life built upon the work of the cross will provide us all the security we will ever need.  And lest we get too “top-heavy,” or start elevating ourselves too much, He reminds us to stay humble.  Be kind to your enemies.  Give generously.  Love lavishly.

If we want peace that surpasses understanding (and who doesn’t, I say), then we need to build reinforcements upon our foundation.  We need to read God’s Word.  We need to know His character so we can trust Him freely.  We need to fellowship with other believers, to encourage and be encouraged.  We need quiet time with Jesus on a regular basis, allowing Him to fill us to bless others.

Security in worldly things brings no security at all.  Placing your worth in your beauty or talent gives it a short shelf life.  Spouses leave.  Kids grow up.  Stock markets crash.  We spend so much time worrying about 401K’s or the Texas Tomorrow Fund (college savings)…and God doesn’t promise us tomorrow.  He promises us our daily bread.  He promises to meet our every need.  He promises us eternity…and our salvation is something that can never be taken from us…no matter how hard the earth shakes.

Dear Heavenly Father, please write these truths on our hearts today.  You not only warn us that our worlds will be shaken, you promise it.  God, we ask that You would draw us ever closer to You.  Please, right at this moment, fill us with Your Holy Spirit.  Remind us that we are only leasing this space on planet earth, and Heaven is our true home.  Help us live in that knowledge.  Let us experience You, Father.  Reveal Yourself to us.  We love You so much, and we ask these things in the beautiful name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.