On July 28, 1976, the worst earthquake of the twentieth century, in terms of loss of life, killed 240,000 people in Tangshan, China. Most were villagers who lived in poorly constructed homes with weak foundations. This is also true of the massive earthquake in Gansu, China, which registered an amazing 8.6 on the Richter scale and took 200,000 lives on December 16, 1920. The pattern is the same everywhere in the world. Whether it is northern Peru, Central America, or southern Turkey, if the quality of the building is poor, the devastation is the greatest. Weak buildings do not survive earthquakes. The same principle is true in our own spiritual lives.

Some people do quite well when life goes well. They seem to thrive in life’s good times, but when storms of difficulty crash on them, they fall apart. Why? Their spiritual experience is built on the weak foundation of their own human abilities. As long as their problems are no greater than their ability to cope, they do fine. When their problems grow larger than their inner strength, they crumble. Without a solid foundation they cannot cope with the seismic shocks of life. God provides a solid foundation in His Word. As we meditate upon the truths of Scripture, we grow into mature Christians. God’s Word gives our faith a strength and stability. It enables us to stand when the storms of life are fierce. It supports us when everything around is crumbling. The author, Ellen White puts it this way: “Our bodies are built up from what we eat and drink; and as in the natural economy, so in the spiritual economy: it is what we meditate upon that will give tone and strength to our spiritual nature” (Steps to Christ by Ellen White, p. 88). Fill your mind with God’s Word. Open your heart to the influence of His Spirit through the Word. If you do, you will develop a solid, rock-hard faith that will meet the test of any storm.

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. (Matt. 7:24 – 25.)

- Matt. 7:24-25

Source: Solid Ground: Daily Devotional for Adults by Mark Finley

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