October 12

Have you ever wondered how the pioneers did it? I mean, they literally did it all. They maintained those cumbersome Conestoga Wagons through a journey of thousands of miles and, upon their arrival in an untamed land, they managed to construct homes, stores, farms, churches and pave the way for schools and universities!

Speaking only for myself, I cannot fathom my survival beyond the Cumberland Gap! Setting my lack of a venturesome spirit aside, how did they do it? I understand that they were not reliant upon the comforts that I take for granted, but even with the pampering of modernity aside, they were amazing people!

The bottom line in the matter boils down to their complete dedication to Matthew 7:24 which says, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them will be like a wise man who builds his house upon a rock.” Anyone who knows anything about construction realizes that before a structure can be raised, a stable foundation must be established. Without one, no matter how beautiful, how elaborate, how solidly constructed it is, the house will fall.

The pioneers built their future upon faith in the God of their fathers. When they left their houses and villages in the east to forge westward, they took their foundation with them, for their foundation was Christ. He is the One who kept them through the ordeal of travel and He is the One who established their new farms and cities upon their arrival in the new land to which He had called them to further His Kingdom.