Keep your handshakes firm and your footing firmer.
My Dad was known for big hugs and firm handshakes.
On the occasion when he’d encounter a handshake that didn’t reciprocate his forceful grip, he’d say it was like shaking the hand of a “dead fish”.
In my Dad’s eyes, a firm handshake told the other person that he meant what he said – whether it was delivered as a friendly greeting or the symbolic gesture of a commitment. To him, a handshake was a promise.
In today’s Tiny Words. Big Life. Bible verse, the Apostle Matthew tells us of a parable that Jesus used to signify His promise to all who hear His words. Jesus said that if you hear them (His words) and put them into practice (obedience), your house (your life) will be built on rocks and capable of withstanding the rain and wind of this life (life’s troubles). On the other hand, it you don’t put His words into practice (disobedience), your life will be destroyed by the troubles of this life.
To this Blogmeister, the key words to this promise are “put them into practice”. That means we have to be obedient – to do what Jesus says. It’s not enough to hear them and understand them. We have to live our lives that way. That means we have to refrain from sin and keep His commandments.
The Tiny Words. Big Life. takeaway is this: Pray to God for wisdom to understand that His promises are firm and have meaning. Pray for the strength to keep His commandments.
To put it another way… Don’t live your life through a “dead fish” handshake with God. Be firm in your grip (commitment) to follow Jesus and you’ll be rewarded with the blessings of His promise. Otherwise, your aching hand will need medical attention as your house falls down around you.
Matthew 7:24-27
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.”