This summer we had the joy of visiting our oldest son and his wife in Southern California. They live just blocks from the Pacific, so we spent hours strolling alongside the ocean, watching the surfers and enjoying the lovely weather.
One paved stretch along the beachfront (called The Strand) features large, multilevel, multimillion dollar homes crammed together, jostling for the best view. These impressive structures feature panoramic windows, rooftop patios, and unique architecture. A few had been completely demolished, and we could see how new houses were constructed from the ground up, literally built upon the sand.
I couldn’t help but remember the foolish man Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7:26-27:
“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
Perhaps Mr. Foolish wanted an ocean view and paid dearly for such prime real estate—as those living on The Strand had done. But all the money in the world could not protect his greatest asset from being flattened by the storm. I pondered this as we admired those expensive houses situated mere yards from shore.
And if the possibility of regular storms wasn’t enough, on another trek down to the beach J.B. noticed a small sign warning, “Tsunami Zone!” (This, coupled with our next morning’s experience, cemented my opinion that living in Colorado is definitely better than living in Southern California!)
Eating a breakfast of quinoa and fruit with J.B.’s friend and his wife the following day, I suddenly felt dizzy. Wondering why my chair seemed unstable, I scanned the restaurant when someone exclaimed, “It’s an earthquake!” It felt as if waves rolled through the earth itself, and I was NOT enjoying it. (Read Ships at Sea for my history with motion sickness.)
Intrigued by this California phenomenon, I soon realized that just like shifting sand at the seashore, the earth itself can be unstable. At times, even life presents us with unsettling situations.
We’ve all had our world shaken in one way or another, whether through broken relationships, unexpected work changes, or financial challenges. So with trouble from the ocean, the earth, or life threatening to destabilize us, where can we find a firm footing on which to stand?
Psalm 46:1-3 and 7 (ESV) reveals the answer:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
God wants to be our solid bedrock. Regardless of our circumstances we can always run to Him to find comfort, wisdom, and strength. And with faith as our foundation, nothing can ultimately shake us.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:2 (HCSB)
