Hearing and Doing

Scripture Focus: Matthew 7:24

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (NIV)

Devotional Thought

You would never trust your home to shifting sand. No one would build a skyscraper on marshy ground without first ensuring that a solid base is established. Jesus says your spiritual life needs the same intentionality. Your foundation matters far more than your facade.

Interpretation

When Jesus speaks of building on “rock,” He refers to the rugged bedrock common in Judea — solid, immovable, storm-resistant. The contrast is striking: the one who only hears His teaching settles for unstable sand, while the one who practices it finds true stability. His emphasis falls on doing — living out His teaching in the rhythms, decisions, and habits of everyday life. This is not about having inspirational ideas about God; it is about embodying His Kingdom in concrete, consistent obedience.

Contemporary Relevance

Before we step into any major doctrine, Jesus brings us back to the first and most essential question: Will you put His words into practice? Faith becomes durable not when we admire Jesus, but when we pattern our lives after Him. This foundation is formed in repeated, small acts of trust — choosing His way, His wisdom, His priorities. That is where a solid life begins.

Quote of the Day

“Faith is not merely a feeling; it is a construction project.” — Dallas Willard

Reflection Question

Where in your life are you settling for “shifting sand”—believing the right things but not yet practicing them?

Prayer Prompt

Ask Jesus to help you build every part of your life on His teaching.

• Copyright 2026 Steven Chapman. Used with permission.