Rocks are for throwing. If you can find a flat one you can skip it across the water. Use a round rock to throw at an attacking dog to get him to knock it off! But rocks are also for climbing. My wife and I walked to the top of Enchanted Rock near Fredericksburg a few years ago, and I’ve even heard of people getting engaged to be married there during the pandemic. Big rocks are sturdy and some are so big (like Enchanted Rock) they are immovable.
Words like shield, fortress, horn of salvation, and of course, ROCK, depict the power and protection of God over His people. God as a rock speaks of His stability – He is immovable; consequently, when we are on shaky ground we need to go to the rock of our salvation. And guess what? We are always on shaky ground in this life. There is never a time when we do not need God our rock to give us stability and security.
Augustus M. Toplady is said to have written the song Rock of Ages in 1775 during a fierce storm as he found shelter in a gap in a gorge. As he found physical safety in the rock he thought of his spiritual safety in God who is like a rock for him as he walked by faith. One might think from the title of the song that Toplady speaks of God’s physical protection in the troubles of life; however, the lyrics only speak of spiritual shelter we receive from God’s mercy and grace. And, of course, his song in cemented in the cross of Christ.
Read and meditate on the lyrics of this timeless song. Also, read Matthew 7:21-28. Then listen to Rock of Ages and maybe do like the old Prudential commercial says, “Get a piece of the rock”.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood, from Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure, cleanse me from its guilt and power.
Not the labour of my hands can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Saviour, or I die!
While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown, see Thee on Thy judgement throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee. BY MIKE MEIERHOFER
INCARNATE 