Obey God—Build a Firm Foundation for Your Life

Last week I put together a resource page with a list of helpful scriptures encouraging us to obey God. I mentioned that I would further discuss obedience to God and how it’s like a sturdy foundation on which to build a house/building. That’s what I’d like to discuss today. We’ll see how the Bible compares our obedience to building on stable foundations. Additionally, we’ll look at some of the purposes for a good foundation.

Learning to obey God creates and builds a stable and firm foundation on which we can build our life. A sturdy foundation in our lives will also help us to withstand the storms that may come in our lives.

My family likes to watch the television show Survivor. This season on Survivor a cyclone hit the island on which they were staying forcing them to evacuate one evening. They returned to find that their shelter, which had been built on sand (important point), had been torn to shreds. You can imagine how disheartening this was for them. This scene immediately brought to mind the scriptures in the Bible that address building on different types of foundations.

Obedience vs. Disobedience–2 types of foundations

When we listen and obey, it’s like building a house on a solid, firm foundation. It can be trusted, unlike a house built on shifting sand or without a foundation. Disobedience is like building a house on an untrustworthy foundation.

“So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, and the wind blew hard against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on rock. But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, the wind blew hard against that house, and it fell. And what a terrible fall that was!” Matthew 7:24-29 (GNT)

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” Luke 6:46-49 (NLT)

Purposes of a good foundation

A good foundation doesn’t just keep a house upright. It protects it from moisture, insulates against the elements, and resists movement from the surrounding ground. The same rings true for us.

• First, obedience to God (OUR foundation) will keep us upright (righteous, in right standing).

“For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.” Romans 2:13 (NLT)

“Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” Romans 6:16 (NLT)

• Secondly, it will serve as a barrier to things that could leak into our lives that might cause harm or damage.

“Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19 (NLT)

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 (NLT)

“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” James 1:14-15 (NLT)

• Additionally, obeying God can insulate us and provide an extra layer of protection from some negative situations and circumstances.

“Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he is my representative, and he will not forgive your rebellion. But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you.” Exodus 23:21-22 (NLT)

“…No one will be able to stand against you. The Lord your God, as he promised you, will put the terror and fear of you on the whole land, wherever you go.” Deuteronomy 11:25 (NIV)

“However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you…” Deuteronomy 28:15 (NIV)

“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” Isaiah 1:19-20 (NIV)

• Lastly, obeying God can also help us to be more stable in order to resist things that might be shifting around us.

“If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.” Exodus 18:23 (NLT)

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11 (NLT)

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV)

Rebuilding foundations

I’ve mention before that I teach at a women’s restoration home called Glory House. Prior to entering Glory House, the ladies’ lives previously had no firm foundation. Subsequently, the structure of the lives they built has been faulty and unstable, often falling and crashing to the ground multiple times.

One of the things I love about Glory House is that these ladies are being taught how to rebuild a stable foundation. They’re learning not only practical ways of straightening their life out but also how to be a true follower of Jesus and building a foundation on God’s Word. They learn how to hear God’s voice, study His Word, and obey Him in order to make wiser choices and have a more stable life. I love that I get to be a very small part of that by teaching them life skills and practical applications of God’s Word in everyday life.

These foundation-building principles at Glory House are truly life changing for them. Next week on Giving Tuesday, I’d like to share such a story of life change with you. Come back to read more about my friend Amanda and how God, and Glory House, have changed her life and how she’s building a better foundation for herself and her daughter!

Take Some Practical Steps to Obey God and Build a Firm Foundation for Your Life:

• First, know WHAT to obey.

Learn what God says and listen to His voice by spending regular time with Him in reading your bible, quiet times, study times, praise, and prayer.

• Secondly, obey–actually DO what you hear!

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” James 1:22 (NLT)

• Additionally be quick to obey—don’t delay obedience, and follow the steps (not leaps) that God gives you.

Read more about this in “Obedience to God–Do you need a leash?” and “Incremental Obedience … God Leads in Steps NOT Leaps”.

• Next, obey even the little things.

The little things we do to obey God along the way are building a solid foundation for us. These little things could be something as small as watching our temper, showing love to unlovable people, having patience, etc.

Disobedience (even in the small things) would be like a builder skipping steps in the building process. Those things might seem little and inconsequential at the time. However, they could factor in to a weak point (i.e. stress fracture) or even a breakdown of the entire foundation should a storm come (or even over time). Disobedience causes weak spots and may cause damage or breakage later on.

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” Luke 16:10 (NLT)

• Expect some opposition from the enemy when you obey God.

We are not promised smooth sailing when we follow God. The devil doesn’t like our obedience because he knows the good that will come of it. So he’s going to fight back, and people need to know to expect it. If you continue to obey, you will be able to build a firm foundation to withstand his attacks. Read about it more here in “Obeying God Should Come With A Warning Label“.

• Finally, remember that you are an example that others will look to, almost like a model home.

A good and well-built foundation can last for centuries. There are those who will imitate your behavior (children, grandchildren, family, friends, students, employees, etc.) and the legacy you leave for years and years to come. As a “model home”, you’ll want a good foundation for others to replicate. Don’t teach them to build their foundation on the sands of disobedience. Build a foundation of obedience that will last for generations.

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends this week!! 

Have you experienced how disobedience can be an unstable foundation? Share your story with us by leaving a comment below!

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are rude, disrespectful, sarcastic, offensive, or off-topic.  By posting on this site you agree to my Comment Policy.

P.S.  If you liked this post, you might enjoy receiving new posts delivered right to your inbox each week!  Sign up here. 

If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)