TEXT
Matthew 7:24-29 NLT
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.”
After Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one who had real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.
TEXT
God is calling! The voice of our Lord Jesus echoes around us. Will we hear and obey? Will we be the wise person, building on the solid rock? Or will the floods destroy our home? We want to be wise, surely—but the cost of self-denying, radical love may be more than we’ve expected. It is not easy to obey our Jesus’ teaching, but still he calls us, still he invites us.
-Brian Rhea
God calling yet! Shall I not hear?
Earth’s pleasures shall I still hold dear?
Shall life’s swift passing years all fly,
And still my soul in slumber lie?
God calling yet! Shall I not rise?
Can I his loving voice despise,
And basely his kind care repay?
He calls me still; can I delay?
God calling yet! And shall he knock,
And I my heart the closer lock?
He still is waiting to receive,
And shall I dare his Spirit grieve?
God calling yet! And shall I give
No heed, but still in bondage live?
I wait, but he does not forsake;
He calls me still; my heart, awake!
God calling yet! I cannot stay;
My heart I yield without delay;
Vain world, farewell, from thee I part;
The voice of God hath reached my heart.
—Gerhard Tersteegen (1697-1769)
Translated by Jane Borthwick (1813-1897)