Matthew 7:24-27 – “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. 25 “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. 26 “And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27 “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall.”  NASB

I heard the Holy Spirit ask, “Are you wise or foolish?”  When I hear a question from the Spirit of God in my heart and mind, I am always cautious about how I answer.  I never want to be rash or presumptive.  I do not want to think more highly of myself than I ought to think.  I never want to answer a question wrongly that I know He knows the correct answer. 

Frequently, when I sense the LORD is asking me a probing question, I will answer the question with a question.  It is not meant to be a question to counter His question but for clarity.  It is usually a question that reveals my willingness to comply with whatever directive He is about to issue.  I desire, more than anything, to be pleasing to Him.  I want to do His will in all things and at all times.  Do I fail?  Yes, I’m human.  I don’t offer that as a justification but a reality that as Paul said, “I’m pressing toward the mark.”  I have not fully attained but am pressing forward.

After the question, I was led to this passage of Scripture and the beautiful analogy that Jesus offered.  He took a natural event to convey a powerful spiritual truth.  His message was clear.  I was not just to ‘hear’ what God says but to ‘do’ what He said.  In a measure that is descriptive of the issue of faith and works.  It should be a reminder that even the demons in hell believe His words but do not act upon or obey them.  The devil knows the Bible, but he is still a devil.

The foolishness of living in a flood-prone area and erecting a dwelling on an unstable foundation such as shifting sand is clear.  The wise man would consider the warnings, the history, the evidence, and after reviewing the information erect his house on a solid foundation.  That would be wisdom.  Therefore, if we HEAR what God says, through the Holy Spirit in prayer or in reading the Bible and fail to follow the directives, heed the warnings, and allow that Word and Spirit to transform us we are anything but wise.

I find in myself and other believers that there are times when we HEAR the directive of Scripture and the urging of the Holy Spirit but fail to obey.  The matter is trust.  It is trust in the sense that we are trusting what we see more than what God has said.  We are trusting our known abilities more than the supernatural power of God.  We are, in that sense trusting and relying on the ‘arm of flesh’ rather than the ‘power of the Spirit of God.’  That is not Wisdom it is Foolishness!

There are numerous examples in Scripture of people hearing what God said, and although His instruction was beyond the realm of human understanding, they acted upon what He said rather than what they could see.  That is Faith! That is Confidence!  That is Trust!  That is Obedience!  Abraham was instructed to offer Isaac the son of his old age and it made no sense to the natural senses, but He obeyed, and God worked a miracle that advanced the cause of the Kingdom of God mightily.

David took a slingshot and 5 smooth stones to face a seasoned war veteran who was a very imposing figure.  It made no sense, but His confidence was in the Name of the LORD and His remembrance of the Promises of God.  Goliath came with a sword and a spear (the arm of flesh) but David went in the Name of the LORD (The power of the Spirit of God).  We know which prevailed.  I will not take the time to list the exploits of Gideon, the Three Hebrew Children, Daniel, and scores of others.  But they Heard and Heeded what God said and demonstrated true Wisdom.

The Holy Spirit was challenging me and I challenge you to consider the words of Jesus in Luke 8:18 – “Therefore take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him shall more be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” NASB

God’s Word never fails, and God never fails, therefore we can trust Him and He desires obedience more than sacrifice.  It is in acting upon the Word that we demonstrate Faith in that Word and the God of the Word.  Faith without works is dead but faith with corresponding obedience moves mountains.  Let’s move some mountains!

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!