Read 1 Peter 2:4-10 and Ephesians 3:16-21

When I sing this song, my mind dives into the depths of my memories of God’s words. I see a house being built of living stones. I see Jesus, The Capstone, reigning over this house.

This is where I get to live. By God’s grace, there are many living bricks in my house. Some have cracks that have been mudded back together by my forgiving Savior. Some are rock solid, built on faith and surrender. Then there’s a yard full of scattered, broken bricks that were full of myself, my plans, my people, my reliance’s on things, rather than on my God.

He is generous, isn’t He? He is worthy of our full assurance and trust. We can count on Him. We can build on Him, the Rock. Even in the darkest of times we can remember His faithfulness and cling to His promises.

It seems God likes this building process or maybe it’s more that He expects it from His children. He knows our weaknesses, the pull of our flesh, and the deception of our enemy. Through faith we become His in an instant. But becoming like Him takes surrender and time. Sometimes we fall flat on our faces. What I love the most is that the offer to admit my sin and get back up is always on the table. He never removes the invitation to follow him.

How can we get back up? How can we let go of the shame and believe this offer is for us?

His love.

Does it seem firm to you or a bit squishy? Maybe your life has been full of fickle ‘love.’ It’s hard to imagine a firm love that we can rely on. We aren’t all that lovable. I know I’m not.

But this love doesn’t rely on our lovableness, it relies on the grace of God. We can’t shake it, ruin it, or shove it away. It hovers over us and invites us to believe it’s not too good to be true.

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us (1 John 4:15-16).

That word ‘rely’ boils it all down in a hurry, doesn’t it? Are we relying on the love of God or our own ability to get it right?

I will build my life upon your love

It is a firm foundation

I will put my trust in you alone

And I will not be shaken

I love the ‘I will not be shaken’ phrase. I long for stability. For strength. For consistency. And God offers it through a life rooted and established in His love.

Father, help us grasp the width, the length, the height and depth of your love. May we know your love that surpasses knowledge. May we be filled to the measure of all of your fullness, for your glory, now and forever! Amen.

Shelly Eberly