This week at work we spent some time in our staff meeting discuss “Rocks”.
Each quarter of the the year we set goals for ourselves that a little bit more
than our regular everyday responsibilities and benefit our careers as well as
the company- we call them “Rocks”. The hope is that when we complete these
goals we have solid tools to continue to build the business. With this theme on
my mind I was reminded of the old hymn
from 1834, written by Edward Mote,
“On
Christ, the Solid Rock”. Below are the
lyrics:
My hope is built on nothing
less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,but wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand,
When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,but wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand,
When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil
The chorus of this hymn is based on the story Jesus told of a man that
built his house on sand and not firm bedrock. When the storms came, the house
was swept away. In California we are preparing for an “El Nino” winter. This means a lot of rain. After our years of
drought and raging wild fires, rain is not a good thing. It causes hillsides to give way. Houses built
on these unstable grounds can be lost.
Drilling into bedrock to start the building proccess
is not easy, fast or cheap but it is the lasting choice. Our business rocks are
meant to last and be reliable for the future.
To accomplish them it will take time and energy but they’ll be worth it.
Faith with Jesus may not be easy at times and standing can feel like no
progress is being made. But standing in faith on Jesus our rock is exactly what
is needed to have a sure future.
Storms also bring clouds that block the sun. Darkness, winds tossing us
back and forth, uncomfortable tempuratures, blocked roads, and injuries can all
be a part of the storms in our spiritual lives. In the second verse of the song
the writer mentions darkness preventing us from being able to see Jesus. The
writer urges us when we can’t see the “Son” we can only hold onto what we know
in fact: He loves us and His grace is unchanging. Facts beat fear everytime. Knowing
the facts about God comes from reading the stories of the faithful found in the
Bible, as well as hearing and sharing testimonies with others.
Click here to see the miracle of a
boy standing in a flood where no physical rock exists. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i42Zbh_nGf8&feature=player_embedded
In 2004, the pastor H. Spees gave a sermon on Faith in which he said, “Optimism
glosses over reality; producing a crushed spirit and disappointment. Faith
looks at reality from a firm foundation; building hope and security.”
“Everyone
then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who
built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds
blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded
on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-27 ESV
** Lord, I know
storms will come in the seasons of my life. Remind me of who you are and how you have set
my feet on solid ground. Forgive me for
getting anxious and stepping off to try and work in my own strength. When fear
comes in the storm and I feel like I’m going to be swept away with rising
waters, show me your steady love in a tangible way that I can hold on to. Remind
me to seek wisdom in your Word and encourage others by sharing my testimony. I
love you, thank you for being my Rock.**
Click here to see a music video of
the hymn –“On Christ the Solid Rock”.
