Lebanon in northern Israel has rocky hillsides, while the valleys, where the rivers run, are sandy because of erosion coming down from higher ground. A village builder in Jesus' day had two choices. They did not excavate foundations. You built a house in the valley on sandy soil or on a rocky hillside. Valley building was easier, but hillside was safer. Hillside builders planned for the worse; valley builders hoped for the best. When the winter rains come in a rush, a dry creek bed quickly becomes a torrent that sweeps all away. Hard rain and strong winds: it blew and beat on both houses. They look alike, but when the storm passes, and flash floods rage only one remains. Same materials, different foundations. The imagery is not about the troubles of this life, though that might not be a bad secondary application; it is about the final judgment of God pictured as a sudden storm that tests everything all at once.

Which foundation are you building your house on? It's a simple question whose message is clear. Build your house on the foundation of love, joy, peace, forgiveness. And no storm, no wind, no flood will take your home away.