I have been obsessed with older hymns lately. There is something about the phrasing and word choice that makes my heart long for Christ all the more.
Here's one for example:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood from Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labors 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 the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, 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 judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.
I love the imagery of Christ being a cleft in the rock for me to hide within. There are so many days when that is where I dwell. And then there are other days when I try to hold onto the outer wall of the cliff and hang on while the storm blows me around. The cleft is so much better.
I was reminded this week of the story behind Jeremiah 29:11. The people of Israel had been exiled from Jerusalem and sent to Babylon. They were anxiously awaiting rescue and restoration from the Lord; waiting to be returned home. The message Jeremiah brought was less than thrilling. The Lord told them to put down roots and invest in the city, to pray for its welfare, as it would be their welfare as well. Then in verse 11, the Lord speaks of His good plans for the people. But he follows that promise by revealing that they will live in exile for the next 70 years. We tend to leave that part of the story out.
What a message for where I am today. I can get so caught up in looking ahead to what I think the Lord may have for my life, that I forget to put down roots today. I know that the Lord has me where I am for a purpose, but the planner in me struggles with resting in that truth. I always think I can do it bigger and better, and then the Lord wows me with His plan instead. He is so much greater!
It brings me back to another hymn that blesses my soul to sing.
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours, through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill; God's truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever.
He wins in the end. All my planning and worrying aside, He's already written the story. Praise God the pen is in His hands and not mine.
