Father, there are so many things for which to be thankful. It is way too easy to complain about life’s inconveniences but we are abundantly blessed. Help us to curtail our grumbling. May we find ample reason to bring glory to You each and every day for you are worthy to be praised! Amen.
Mark 12:1-12 (<<click to read the passage)
Wikipedia states: “The cornerstone…is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.”
My Life Application Study Bible also says, “The cornerstone was used as a base to make sure the other stones of the building were straight and level.”
What do we build our lives upon? Many of us do the best we can with what we have. We build on what our parents taught us or what we have learned from the “school of hard knocks”. We quite often get by with what many would consider a healthy dose of common sense. But my sermon this past Sunday dealt with the issue of common sense being a poor foundation to build upon. We must not forge ahead in our own understanding.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
The only way we will make the best – not just “good enough” – life decisions, is to trust in the Lord’s direction. And to do so we must build upon Him as our sure foundation. That is the only way we can be assured that we are straight and level.
Jesus may be rejected by many but read once more the verse quoted by Jesus Himself from Psalm 118:22-23 (NLT),
The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.
Writing of Jesus our Cornerstone brought a song to mind (surprise!) – back when I was in high school it was pretty popular. Here are the lyrics for the song Cornerstone. May we cling to the truths found in these words. (Also, here is a nice rendition sung by a youth choir – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLd_I4mmpno)
Jesus is the cornerstone
Came for sinners to atone
Though rejected by His own
He became the cornerstone
Jesus is the cornerstone
When I am by sin oppressed
In the stone, I am at rest
When the seeds of truth are sown
He remains the cornerstone
Jesus is the cornerstone
Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee
Rock of Ages so secure
For all time it shall endure
‘Til His children reach their home
He remains the cornerstone
‘Til the breaking of the dawn
‘Til all footsteps cease to roam
Ever let this truth be known
Jesus is the cornerstone
The words and music of Cornerstone were penned by Lari Goss in 1976 © 1976 Bridge Building Music, Inc.
July 1st, 2019, Mon, 10:11 pm
