Issue 896 – Castles in the Sand – October 29, 2022
We saw this sand castle on a Lake Ontario beach. Someone took their time and added details. There is a moat around the entire castle; gull feathers were used for flags at the corner towers, and sticks were used to make gates at the front entry.
I think most children (and many adults) have had a go at building sand castles where ever there is a beach or a sandbox. Some are very simple, others have more details like today’s image, and occasionally you see one that is a marvel of engineering art.
Going beyond the castle builder’s work are sand artists who build incredibly elaborate sculptures. A quick online search for “sand sculptures” will amaze you with the creations of these artists.
Sand is easy to work in and readily available on many beaches, making it ideal for play castles. The problem with building with sand is that it doesn’t make for durable structures, and in tidal areas, the work gets washed away twice a day.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke about building on sand.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27
Of course, Jesus wasn’t concerned about building codes or physical buildings. He was speaking about obedience to Him.
His words extend beyond the sermon of the day. We need to hear the words and put them into action.
Reading your Bible, going to church, and doing good works without a foundation of a relationship with Jesus is building on a foundation of sand. It will not hold.
We all know people who think that doing good works will score them brownie points worth God. They believe that if they can do more good than bad, they will somehow pass the grade and slide into glory.
Works without faith are built on sand. It is impossible to please the Lord without saving faith.
“For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23 b
None of us is righteous and can do anything to change that.
“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Romans 9:11-12
Building on self-righteousness is doomed to fail; like a sand castle on the beach, it will wash away.
Just knowing and searching the world will fail.
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” John 7:37-39
Castles in the sand wash away or erode quickly; so does anything other than saving faith in Christ.
Build on the rock. Learn what Jesus teaches and get grounded in Him. Nothing else will do.
If you are grounded on the rock, study the Word and obey what it teaches. Draw closer to Him every day.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2022 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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