Issue 1269 – Castles in the Sand – October 11, 2023
This pirate treasure sculpture was on the beach at Long Beach, Washington. It isn’t a sand castle in the strictest sense. It is sand art built in the tradition of a sand castle.
There were hours of loving labour invested by the sculptor(s?) who imagined and created it. With the weather in the area, it likely stood for a few days or, at most, a few weeks before it would have reverted to just a pile of beach sand.
We are familiar with what Jesus said about building on sand.
Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:47-49 (see also Matthew 7:24-27
I frequently see church people or people who profess to be Christians building on sand.
I have heard people remark, “I tried Christianity. It didn’t work for me.” Of course, it didn’t work. Christianity has no power. Only Christ can save you. One cannot try Jesus on for size; either you accept Him, or you don’t.
I used to go to church, but I didn’t like what the preacher said, or the promises didn’t work for me. It isn’t the preacher’s words that have power. It is the power of Holy Spirit communicated through the Word that transforms lives. Anything the preacher says outside the Word must be evaluated against the Word. If the Word of God offends, you have a problem.
I used to be a Christian, but when that pastor fell from grace … when the church split … or that Christian let me down or hurt me. Building on other people is sandy ground, for sure. Christians will let you down at some point. Christians aren’t perfect; we are flawed people trying to follow Jesus.
I don’t read the Bible, I get my daily devotional and Christian memes, or I see God at work in people. Those are great things and may even have biblical truth, but they build on sand. There is no substitute for individual and corporate Bible reading and study. The Word is given to reveal Jesus to us.
I don’t need Jesus. I am a good person, and I’m spiritual. That is way out into the danger zone. No one other than Jesus can save you. Relying on anything else is not only sandy sand; the base is already eroded and waiting to collapse.
What are you building your hope on? Is it on Christ as revealed in the Word of God and through the Holy Spirit’s prompting? Or are you trusting in something else?
May you be building on the bedrock of Jesus
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, 2023 KF “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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