Houses Built of Cards

Firstly, a correction to yesterday`s devotional. The writer was actually John Berry, not Margaret Silvester.


Life is full of challenges! Some are easy to overcome. We’re able to handle them and even learn something from our experiences. We see them as stumbling blocks that come along during our daily lives, small things that get sorted out quickly.

Other times we face challenges that seem overwhelming, from our point of view. These times feel more like boulders coming down on us. We may have prayed and hoped for a quick fix, or a fast way out, but there was none. Slowly we came to realise that the road is one that has to be walked. And then the questions, doubts and fears arise. Why did this happen to me? Why does it seem as if the Lord isn’t answering my prayers? What did I do wrong to allow this to happen to me? How long will this go on? Questions without answers.

The enemy comes like a flood, sweeps us off our feet, and suddenly his schemes and plans surround us like giants. The Bible warns us: ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour’ (1 Peter 5:8, NKJV). It’s during this time of darkness in our lives that we need to hold on to the Lord; to the light that always shines with hope and comfort.

I realised recently that the enemy’s plans are actually like houses built of cards. Sometimes they seem very impressive and overwhelming. For a while we’re even blinded by the deceptive nature of his attack on our lives.

But I realised the enemy’s plans aren’t built on a foundation. He has no foundation to build on to in our lives. We belong to our Lord Jesus Christ. Our God doesn’t need a foundation to build on, because He IS the foundation! Our lives are built on His plans and purposes for us.

Whatever the enemy throws at us is like crumpled paper. His card houses have no substance; no glue to even hold the cards together. A mere breath from our Father, and the cards fall apart. The light shines through, and we find ourselves actually standing on ‘the Rock’ - Jesus Christ, our Foundation.

Prayer: My Lord and Father, thank You for bringing light into my life and for showing me that my feet are actually upon a rock. Thank You for being my hope and giving me strength for the road I’m on. Hold me close to You, please, so I can hear Your heartbeat when things seem overwhelming. Breathe on me, dear Lord. Breathe on me, and make me whole. Amen.