LXXI.
Upon a Solid Rock I Stand
(6/6)
God is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. (Psalm 18:1; read Psalm 18:1-3)
hen I was a child, we often sang “Rock of Ages” in church. I liked the hymn because it made sense to me. Rocks were solid and strong, and I enjoyed skipping stones. I knew God wasn’t a rock, but that God was strong and faithful and would protect me from harm. And, so this morning, I sang a few words of that song:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me.
Let me hide myself in Thee.
I also remember the hymn “Solid Rock.” It reminded me of a story Jesus told of a man building his house on the sand, and having it wash away during a storm. The other man built his house on a rock and it withstood the fiercest storms. Build your house on a rock, the rock of faith and love, I was told. That rock was Jesus.
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,
All other ground is sinking sand.
Today, amid the storm of Coronavirus and protests of injustice, we need a strong rock upon which to stand. We need to ground our ethics, individual decision-making, and quest for a more perfect union on the solid rock of love, hospitality, and healing. God will provide a path through the storm, and if we build our lives on the rock of ages, we will withstand any crisis and seek the wellbeing of our neighbors. Trust in what is strong, faithful, and dependable, in your closest friends and in our Closest Friend Jesus.
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Place my feet on your Solid Rock, Jesus. Let me trust that you will get me through today and that upon you I stand my whole life long, and from that Rock let me give strength and peace to others. Amen.
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Bruce Epperly is a Cape Cod pastor, professor, and author of over 50 books including FAITH IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC and GOD ONLINE: A MYSTIC’S GUIDE TO THE INTERNET
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