Higher Ground

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. Matthew 7:24-25 (NKJV)

Have you heard of the amazing engineering feat and preservation of the Cape Hatteras Light Station? The station was completed on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in 1870. Originally built a safe 1,500 feet from the Atlantic Ocean, by 1970 weather erosion had left the station just 120 feet from the ocean’s edge with only a matter of time until its foundation's collapse and destruction.

After much debate it was finally decided to relocate the 4,830-ton lighthouse and its buildings to higher ground, transferring them on a rail system and moving them 2,900 feet inland.

 

#1The rail system that moved the lighthouse and it's buildings.

#2The 2900 ft track to the new location. The lighthouse is in the upper LH corner of the photo, waiting to begin the move.

Through February, March, and April of 1999 the Principal Keepers Quarters, oil house, cisterns, and sidewalks were relocated, and by July 9, the lighthouse was safely placed on a new foundation of steel-reinforced concrete, brick, and up to 2 feet of rock. The lighthouse continues to serve as a navigational aid and is currently maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.

        

The Cape Hatteras Light Station today

Jesus speaks of the sure foundational strength He offers. Even when storms come His foundation holds and keeps us from falling. If sand does encroach, He will move us to higher ground.

Jesus didn’t say, “I am one of many paths to God.” He said, “I am the only way,” (John 14:6). If that sounds too inclusive to your ears, what else could you expect to hear in a statement made to be absolute truth from the Person who says He is? To say truth is subjective (your truth in comparison to mine) is to say an untruth. It’s either true or it isn’t. If you’re Superman, the truth of the Law of Gravity may be subjective, but for we mortals a red cape won’t help us fly after leaping from the window of the Daily Planet. Jesus is either God in the flesh or He's not. Both cannot be true.

So, is what Jesus said, recorded by many historically credible witnesses, true or not? If it isn’t true, you’ve got nothing to worry about. If it is true, then He wasn’t lying, and He’s neither a liar or a lunatic. 

So-if He was not a consummate liar, and not plainly insane, then the only other choice is He is who He claimed to be, and that would be--Lord. If He is who He claimed to be then everyone, both small and great, must give an account of themselves to Him (Revelation 20:12).

What will be the defense of people who reject Him as the Truth when they must face Him and He asks for a reason?  “Your belief that you’re God is just YOUR truth,”?  Sorry, my caped crusader, how far do you think that one’s gonna fly?

But, if you need a foundational stone to set your life on, He can be your Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). Even if you’ve put your trust in Him and storms have eroded your ground a bit too close to the waves for comfort, He will move you to higher ground. You can trust in all He's promised.

A wise man, woman, and even child building their foundation on this Rock will find it can withstand anything Satan can throw against it. Let your heart trust in that. Doing that is true wisdom. Why not ask Jesus to become your sure foundation of trust and hope? What have you got to lose? It is wisdom that will raise you to higher ground. 

Ken