First, A Strong Foundation
ICS Daily Devotions

Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV) “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. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Over and over, we have seen that houses with strong foundations are the ones that are left standing after natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis strike. Therefore, it is essential not to rush into building something without taking time to lay a proper foundation. The same principle applies to marriage because the foundation will determine how one will respond when challenges come.

Jesus’ teaching on this is plain and simple. He compared someone who had a foundation to someone who didn’t. The flood came to both houses. Everyone will face challenges in life. It is not “if” but “when” they come, so we must know how to deal with them.

The deciding factor in whether a house remains standing is its foundation. The ruin was great for the house without foundation, but the house with the proper foundation was unshakeable despite the stream beating vehemently against it—it withstood the test of the flood. Likewise, our marriages should be built on a solid foundation to withstand the devil’s onslaught.

Some biblical values and principles regarding marriage that will help us to build the foundation on the rock are:

• Be a “doer” of the Word
• Build a foundation of our beliefs in Christ
• See marriage as a covenant
• Leave and cleave to our spouse
• Be one flesh (spiritually, emotionally, and physically)
• God is in the centre of the marriage (three-strand cord)
• Be willing to forgive and accept imperfection
• Trust each other
• Mutual submission
• Husband must take spiritual leadership

If every family and individual should represent a house, we need to build strong foundations in the individual and the marriage. The couple must agree that marriage is a covenant and not a contract and build on the marriage covenant by working on the marriage. Even though they will encounter differences, disagreements, dissatisfaction, and challenges, what will keep it strong is their commitment to make it work because they have uttered the marriage vow in the presence of God. There is nothing that cannot be resolved if they see each other as one flesh and covenant partners.

Sermon Series：Before You Say I Do