The Rocky Mountains stretch from Canada to Mexico. Of the 417 square miles that make up RMNP, 100 square miles are bare rock and tundra above treeline. Each mountain peak is unique because the rock has been shaped by volcanic eruptions, glaciers, rockslides and erosion.
Jesus told a parable about rock. Luke 6:46-49 All those who come and listen and obey Me are like a man who builds a house on a strong foundation laid upon the underlying rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm, for it is strongly built. But those who listen and don’t obey are like a man who builds a house on the ground without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it crumbles into a heap of ruins.
The house in the parable presents our life. When we listen to and follow Jesus our life will be on a rock solid foundation. Psalm 18:2-3 The Lord is my ROCK in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength … He saves me from my enemies. Why do we need protection? What are the floodwaters in life? They could be natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes or they could be disease, war, economic or mental depression. These things come to those who follow Jesus as well as those who reject Him, but He will give His followers strength and guidance to get through difficult times. In addition, the Bible tells us that these floodwater trials have a purpose in the same way as the extreme heat and pressure that rock is exposed to makes it hard and strong.
1 Peter 1:6-7 These trials are only to test your faith to see whether or not it is strong and pure, It’s being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it – and your faith is far more precious to Bod than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of His return.
James 1:2-4 … Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
What are some of the foundations that others build their lives on, things that are represented by the ground that does not have a solid foundation? It is common today to focus our lives on things like making money, becoming famous, having fun. Not that these things are bad in themselves, but they are only temporary and in the long run not really satisfying. When the difficulties of life come they easily crumble and are washed away.
1Timothy 6:17-19 Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust would be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up treasure as a good foundation (rock) for the future so that they may take hold of REAL life.
As we look at the hard rock mountain peaks we can think about Jesus, the firm foundation of our life. And as we think about the heat and pressure that resulted in the rock that formed the peaks we can thank God for pressures and trials in our lives that lead us to trust in Jesus more each day.
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