The Cornerstone of Your Life - Your Nightly Prayer - June 26th
The Cornerstone to Your Life
by Amber Ginter
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
"Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." - Mark 12:10, NIV
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Have you ever built something with your hands? Maybe it was the house you live in, or a piece of furniture you purchased from Ikea? Or what about that desk chair Amazon promised could be assembled in three easy steps?
For me, the first time I built something by hand, from scratch, was in my sophomore year of Ag class. As part of our assignment, we were to measure and build our very own toolbox. We were responsible for cutting the wood, sanding the pieces, and using numerous large power tools. I was greatly overwhelmed.
Embarrassingly enough, my first attempt failed miserably. I'd slightly miscalculated the base, therefore, the entire toolbox couldn't stand up straight. It wasn't until a guy in my class offered to help me fix it that I succeeded with the assignment. We remeasured the base and reassembled every part until it fit perfectly. I got an "A," but I never would've if I hadn't realized the need for accurate bases or cornerstones.
In Scripture, Mark 12 tells us that Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone on which we build our lives. Sadly, many had rejected Jesus then, and continue to dismiss Him now. We learn from Matthew 7:24-27 that houses built without a strong foundational cornerstone are like homes built on sand. The rain, floods, and winds come, but the home doesn't make it. It fell with a great crash because it wasn't strong enough to stand. The same can be true of our lives.
I'm not an expert builder or craftsman, and I never will be, but I've learned the importance of having Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone of my life. I've never found it coincidental that Jesus was a Master Carpenter—in flesh and spirit, His life pointed to one foundational truth: Without Jesus at the center, everything will come crashing down.
Each of us has a choice to reject or accept Jesus as the cornerstone of our lives. Will you choose to build a firm foundation on the Rock of truth, or will you build your house on sand? The choice is yours, but your destiny lies in the hands of what you use to build your core foundation.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Dear Jesus,
We know that you were rejected by many as the cornerstone of life. But today, we have a choice to accept the message you bring and place our trust in you. Help us to release control and build our lives on you—a solid rock, a firm foundation, on which we can stand. That way, when the storms, floods, and winds of chaos and confusion come, we will not panic. The wars will rage on, but we will place our trust in you, knowing we stand on solid ground that cannot be shaken.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Is Jesus the center of your life? Journal about what you give your time and talents to, and ask God to realign your priorities.
2. Jesus wants to be the cornerstone of your life. This week, take 5-10 minutes to sit in the presence of the Lord before you begin your day. Ask Him to align your heart with His.
3. Everyone has a choice to follow Jesus or not. Share the foundational truth of this Gospel message with someone who could use some encouragement.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Josh Boot
