Matthew 4:4
But he answered, “It is written,
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 7:24-27
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
“Who’s your idol?”
Have you ever been asked that? I have. Often the person is simply asking what celebrity I hold in high regard, but I think it’s healthy to pause and ask myself that question.
Or better yet, “What is my idol?”
I recently watched an Instagram reel from Lisa Bevere talking about idols. She said that sometimes God allows us to go through wilderness seasons to strip us of our idols. Idols, she explains, are the things we hide ourselves in and give our time and strength to outside of God.
Lisa continues, “It is in the wilderness that you find out you don’t live by bread alone, but you live by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
I’ve experienced wilderness seasons. They’re painful. I’ve been tempted to think God is cruel and calloused when my achievements are stripped away. When I feel like a failure, I realize how much of my identity is found in my accomplishments rather than Christ.
As I look at these seasons with eyes of faith, however, I see it’s actually merciful for Him to allow the idols to fall away. Anything else we could worship, or build our life and identity on will fail us at best and destroy us at worst. No other foundation will stand when the storms come.
So, while the wilderness season can be incredibly painful, I thank God for teaching me that He alone is my firm foundation.
Reflection: Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind any idol(s) that may be hindering your relationship with Him, and take some time to confess and refocus on Him. How is God a firmer foundation than everything else?
LYRICS
Build My Life
Written by Matt Redman, Karl Martin, Kirby Kaple, Brett Younker, Pat Barrett
Performed by Pat Barrett (Housefires), Cory Asbury, Chris Tomlin, Brett Younker (Passion)
Verse 1:
Worthy of every song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for you
Verse 2:
Jesus, the name above every other name
Jesus, the only one who could save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for you
Oh, we live for you
Chorus:
Holy, there is no one like you
There is none besides you
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who you are and fill me
With your heart and lead me
In your love to those around me
Bridge:
And I will build my life upon your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in you alone
And I will not be shaken