Withstanding the Storms!

Psalm 127:1-2 (NIV)

1 Unless the Lord builds the house,

    the builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

    the guards stand watch in vain.

2 In vain you rise early

    and stay up late,

toiling for food to eat—

    for He grants sleep to those He loves.

The New Year is just around the corner.

Looking into my crystal ball, I would like to tell you what will happen in 2013.

Oh, wait! I don't have a crystal ball. Nobody has a crystal ball, which means nobody has the ability to make a definite promise that something will -- or will not – happen .

Of course, that doesn't mean people won't try to predict what their tomorrows might hold.

Over 200 years ago, off the coast of Plymouth, England, a lighthouse was built to warn oncoming ships of the dangerous reefs. The architect of the lighthouse, a fellow by the name of Winstanley was absolutely convinced this lighthouse could survive any storm or wave that might come its way.

Indeed, Mr. Winstanley was so sure his creation could handle the future that he had these words carved on the cornerstone: "BLOW, O YE WINDS! RISE, O OCEAN! BREAK FORTH, YE ELEMENTS, AND TRY MY WORK!"

To make a long story short, the winds did blow, the oceans did rise, and the work of the lighthouse was tried.

The lighthouse was tried and found wanting. In took less than three years for it to be reduced to a pile of rubble and swept away.

Even though Winstanley's lighthouse was gone, the ships still needed a warning. John Smeaton, a Christian engineer, was asked to redesign and rebuild the light of warning. He did. And when he was finished, the cornerstone read, "Except the Lord Build the House, They Labor in Vain that Build It." For many years that lighthouse has stood every test.

Now I don't know what wind and wave will come crashing down on you in 2013. But I do know this: if we try to stand on our own, trusting in our own wisdom and ability, we will go down like Winstanley's lighthouse. On the other hand, if every day of this New Year is founded on the Savior who gave His life for our salvation, we will be able to stand as a witness to Jesus; we will be able to withstand the storms and waves.

If we do that, my friends, it will make 2013 a very good year!

Dear Lord, in 2013 keep us from pride and overconfidence. Let us recognize we can only stand against the storms of life if our life is built upon Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.