MADE TO LAST
Opening Prayer
Loving Father, be close to me today. Show me the intricacies of Your nature as I meet You in Your Word.
Read Matthew 7:24–29
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Potential buyers are wise to take note of product reviews. Here Jesus reviews his own sermon and reassures us of his reliability.Jesus concluded his Sermon on the Mount with the analogy of a house built on a bedrock foundation rather than on loose soil. The implication is clear: you can be either wise or foolish as you build your life.
The sermon is a compressed summary of Jesus’ most compelling spiritual lessons. At its heart is the Father’s specific attention to each of us—“for your Father knows” (6:8)—and he invites us into a closer and wholehearted relationship. The Beatitudes, where the sermon began, promise deferred rewards to “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (5:6).
Then the sermon moves from broader social topics—murder, adultery and divorce—to the more intimate human needs of food and clothing. It concludes, very personally (7:11), with “your Father in heaven” giving good gifts “to those who ask him”!
What stands out is Jesus inviting us to dismiss our distant and detached images of the Father in favor of a more inti-mate vision.
Apply
Do you have doubts about the Father’s care for you? If you do, take time now to accept the invitation Jesus offers to ask and seek assurance from the Father. God promises to reward this investment.
Closing prayer
Take time to rest in God’s presence now. Allow him to speak to you. Allow his presence to wash over you.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.