Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 32, Psalm 119:121-144, Isaiah 59, Matthew 7
Foolish or Wise; Which are You?
If you were suffering from a serious medical condition you would probably go to a doctor. The doctor would examine you and order some tests. Depending on what kind of illness you had, blood draws would be ordered and if necessary some imaging studies; x-rays, CT scans or MRI. After the doctor has all the results back he will make a diagnosis and order an appropriate treatment for you. You would be very unwise to go through the examination and all the tests, thank the doctor, walk out the door and go on your way without filling the prescription or doing the things the doctor prescribed. We would say such a person is really foolish.
The same principle applies to hearing and doing God’s Word. Matthew 7:24-27 is a parable about two men, one wise and one foolish. The foolish man hears the Word of God but doesn’t put it into practice. Jesus likened him to someone who builds their house upon a foundation of sand. When storms hit such a house it will fall with a great crash because there is nothing to hold it up. The wise man hears the words of Jesus and puts them into practice. He is like a man who builds his house on a rock. Rain, rising streams and winds cannot shake such a house off its foundation. He was wise because he practiced the words he heard.
Notice that rain, wind and rising streams hit both houses. Practicing the Word of God does not exempt us from the storms of life. But when they come we have a foundation that is firm. There is something to rely upon. The key is not just hearing the Word. Both the men in the parable heard the same thing. The key is practicing what was heard. Psalm 119:129 says “Your statues are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
Israel had heard God’s precepts over and over. He warned them repeatedly what would happen if they strayed from following Him and turn to idols. But they were like the foolish man who built his house on the sand; they didn’t follow God’s instructions and turned to idols. It is interesting that Deut. 23:17 says that when they sacrificed to idols they were actually sacrificing to demons. Isaiah 59 also contains indictment against Israel for turning from the Lord; but also the possibility of redemption of they would turn back to the Lord and begin to do what he had told them to do.
God doesn’t force us to do anything. He created us with a will, and we can willing choose to do the principles found in God’s Word, or we can ignore them and go our own way. We can be like the person who walks out of the doctor’s office and ignores the treatment the doctor has ordered. Or we can take the prescription and participate in the treatment. Which are you? Foolish or wise?
God is good all the time,
Foolish or Wise; Which are You?
If you were suffering from a serious medical condition you would probably go to a doctor. The doctor would examine you and order some tests. Depending on what kind of illness you had, blood draws would be ordered and if necessary some imaging studies; x-rays, CT scans or MRI. After the doctor has all the results back he will make a diagnosis and order an appropriate treatment for you. You would be very unwise to go through the examination and all the tests, thank the doctor, walk out the door and go on your way without filling the prescription or doing the things the doctor prescribed. We would say such a person is really foolish.
The same principle applies to hearing and doing God’s Word. Matthew 7:24-27 is a parable about two men, one wise and one foolish. The foolish man hears the Word of God but doesn’t put it into practice. Jesus likened him to someone who builds their house upon a foundation of sand. When storms hit such a house it will fall with a great crash because there is nothing to hold it up. The wise man hears the words of Jesus and puts them into practice. He is like a man who builds his house on a rock. Rain, rising streams and winds cannot shake such a house off its foundation. He was wise because he practiced the words he heard.
Notice that rain, wind and rising streams hit both houses. Practicing the Word of God does not exempt us from the storms of life. But when they come we have a foundation that is firm. There is something to rely upon. The key is not just hearing the Word. Both the men in the parable heard the same thing. The key is practicing what was heard. Psalm 119:129 says “Your statues are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
Israel had heard God’s precepts over and over. He warned them repeatedly what would happen if they strayed from following Him and turn to idols. But they were like the foolish man who built his house on the sand; they didn’t follow God’s instructions and turned to idols. It is interesting that Deut. 23:17 says that when they sacrificed to idols they were actually sacrificing to demons. Isaiah 59 also contains indictment against Israel for turning from the Lord; but also the possibility of redemption of they would turn back to the Lord and begin to do what he had told them to do.
God doesn’t force us to do anything. He created us with a will, and we can willing choose to do the principles found in God’s Word, or we can ignore them and go our own way. We can be like the person who walks out of the doctor’s office and ignores the treatment the doctor has ordered. Or we can take the prescription and participate in the treatment. Which are you? Foolish or wise?
God is good all the time,
Naomi Brinkman
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