Living In Hope: Mark 13: 1, 2

                                                    God is my builder 

Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

Mark 13: 1, 2 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!" And Jesus answered, "See these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another, 

                                                                                         that shall not be thrown down."

Hi friends. In Mark 13 Jesus and His disciples are leaving the temple. Suddenly, as if really seeing it for the first time, the disciples are amazed at what a massive structure it really is. It is obvious they are really impressed by what they see and rightfully so. Jewish historians tell us that some of these stones were 50 feet long, 24 feet broad, and 16 feet thick. As if seeing it for the very first time the disciples are suddenly amazed at how fortified the temple really is. In their amazement they say to Jesus, "Master, see what kind of temple it is! It is such a powerful, fortified building." 

However, Jesus replies, "See these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another. They shall all be thrown down." In other words, "What man's hands can build, man's hands can tear down. What man's strength can erect, man's strength can demolish. No matter how strong and resilient it may appear, if man can build it, man can tear it down." 

Oh, the despair of it all! How much time and strength we spend trying to build things that will last. Yet, whatever human strength can build, this world can tear down. Whatever human power can construct, the world can destroy! The absolute despair of it all! 

However, as Christians we can be of good courage. God is our builder!

He is building our life; He is building our marriage; He is building our relationships with our children; He is building our homes; He is building our ministries. It is His hands reaching into all that concerns our life and building.

Yes, the storms of life will come, the winds will blow and the waters will rage, but when you love His Word and build upon its foundation, Jesus calls us "wise men building upon a rock." 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.  

In a world where everything can be shaken, what an assuring promise from God to His people. 

And as Christians we know storms only make us stronger. Heavy winds only causes our roots to go down deeper. On the other side of every storm is a deeper faith and strength in God. 

Thank God, the Lord is our builder! Though it be tried and tested, what He builds will continue to stand to the glory and praise of God!