Understanding the Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons in Everyday Language
What Does “Shifting Sands” Mean?
The phrase “shifting sands” is a common way to describe situations that are always changing and hard to predict. Imagine walking on a beach where the ground keeps moving under your feet—that’s what “shifting sands” feels like. It’s unstable, and you can’t count on it to stay the same. In real life, it refers to times when things aren’t steady—like when your plans fall apart, relationships feel uncertain, or your hopes are built on things that don’t last.
The big idea behind this metaphor is that it warns us not to rely on things that can change quickly or aren’t solid. Instead, it encourages us to find something dependable to build our lives on.
Biblical Story: Building on Rock vs. Sand
The Bible talks about “shifting sand” in the book of Matthew, chapter 7, verses 24 to 27. Jesus tells a story about two builders. One builds his house on rock, and the other builds his house on sand. When storms come, the house on the rock stands strong, but the house on the sand falls apart. The lesson is simple: if you want your life to withstand tough times, you need a strong foundation. In the Bible, that foundation is Jesus and His teachings. The “rock” stands for strength and stability, while the “sand” stands for things that are weak and unreliable.
If you base your life on things that can change or aren’t trustworthy—like money, popularity, or just hearing about faith without living it—you risk everything falling apart when trouble comes.
The Hymn: “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”
A hymn written by Edward Mote in 1834 captures this lesson beautifully. The first line says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” In simple terms, this means the writer trusts Jesus completely—not himself, not other people, not things of this world.
· “My hope is built on nothing less”: Don’t put your hope in things that won’t last.
· “Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”: The foundation of hope is Jesus—His sacrifice and goodness.
· “I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name”: Even the best things in life can’t compare to trusting Jesus.
The chorus makes the point clear: “On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.” This means that Jesus is the only dependable foundation; everything else can let you down.
Why Is Hope So Important?
Hope is a major theme in the Bible. It’s described as a gift from God that helps people get through tough times. Hope works closely with faith: faith means trusting in things you can’t see yet, and hope is what keeps you going while you wait for those things to happen.
· Hope and Faith: Hebrews 11:1 says faith is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hope is at the heart of faith.
· Hope in Hard Times: The Bible encourages people to “rejoice in hope” and “be patient in tribulation” (Romans 12:12). Hope helps people endure difficulties.
· Hope and Salvation: Romans 8:24–25 explains that hope is essential for salvation—it’s about trusting God’s promises even when you can’t see them yet.
· Hope and the Holy Spirit: Romans 5:5 says God fills hearts with love and hope through the Holy Spirit, so hope never fails, even when life is tough.
Stories of Hope in the Bible
· Abraham: Abraham trusted God’s promises, even when they seemed impossible.
· Jesus: Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection give people hope for forgiveness and eternal life.
· The Resurrection: Jesus rising from the dead is the ultimate sign of hope—it shows that even death can be overcome.
Building Your Life on Solid Ground
The idea of “shifting sands” reminds us that life can be unpredictable and full of change. The Bible teaches that the best way to face life’s challenges is to build your life on something unchanging—Jesus and His teachings. Hymns like Edward Mote’s encourage people to trust Jesus completely, especially when everything else seems uncertain.
To do this, it’s not enough to just say you believe or hear about faith—you have to live it. That means believing in Jesus, turning away from wrongdoings, living a good life, and loving others. Outward actions or just hearing about faith aren’t enough; you need a real, strong foundation. Everything besides Jesus is like building on sand—too weak to support your hopes or dreams, especially when tough times come.
There will always be storms in life that test what you’ve built. If your foundation is strong, you’ll be able to stand firm. If it’s weak, everything could fall apart just when you need it most. The Bible encourages everyone to be wise and build their lives for eternity, so nothing can separate them from God’s love.
The teachings of Jesus are timeless and always fresh, no matter how many times you read them. The key is to focus on these lessons and let them guide your thoughts and actions. Instead of wishing for everything in a vague way, concentrate on one blessing or good quality at a time, and work on it.
In summary, “shifting sands” is a warning to avoid relying on things that aren’t stable. The Bible teaches that only Jesus provides a foundation strong enough to withstand anything life throws at you. By trusting Him and living according to His teachings, you can face uncertainty with confidence, peace, and hope.
Minister A Francine Green
February 2026
afrancinegreen.com 