By Melissa McLaughlin
The Rock
There it stood. Rugged, wild and immovable.
Our family excursion to Maine brought us to the picturesque Pemaquid Point. We climbed along the rocky outcropping that stood firm against the onslaught of ocean waves.
Though the waves rolled in, crashing with rhythmic force, yet the rock stood firm. We stood gazing out across the expanse of the mighty ocean and felt the vast, uncontainable power of God.
The Storms of Life
Today, as we peer out over the sea of troubled waters before us, may our souls be anchored on the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ.
These are the words that mark our time…Fear, Tension, Unrest, Violence, Division, Hatred, Sickness, Isolation, Discouragement, Distrust, Lies, Deception, Evil, Death
But they are not the final word for followers of Christ. For those found in Jesus, He is our final Word.
No matter the human ill, whether physical, emotional, relational or spiritual, Jesus is the answer.
Jesus is the Rock of Ages
These are the words our Savior offers in stark contrast to the world’s words…
Believe
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. John 14:1
Way, Truth, Life
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Helper, Spirit of truth
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17
Will not leave, See me, Live
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. John 14:18-19
Love, Home
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23
Peace
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27
Jesus is The Word
I invite you to pause and read slowly these words of Jesus. May His words seep in and strengthen your innermost being:
Believe, Way, Truth, Life, Helper, Spirit of truth, Will not leave, See me, Live, Love, Home, Peace
Though the world swirls with the scheming of the devil and the workings of man, keep your feet still, planted on the Rock. Jesus Christ alone has the final word.
Christ spoke this whole world into existence. Is it any wonder we need His Word to survive?
How do we keep our feet standing on Christ?
Surrender yourself to Him.
Let Christ be your strength.
Remember Him.
Return to Him.
Stand on Him.
Pray with me please~
Holy Spirit, help us rest in God alone. You are the Spirit of our resurrected King Jesus indwelling the hearts of all who believe. Help us remember we carry the power of Christ within. Remind us of all that He has spoken. Jesus Christ, Word of God, you spoke this world into existence, may your Word sustain and uphold us. You are the Rock of ages. Let us put on the armor of God and after we have done all, stand. Stand on the Word of our unchanging, eternal LORD who rules and reigns forever.
Standing on the Rock in the Storm
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26
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. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7:24-27
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4
Additional Resources:
Rock of Ages Poem by Melissa McLaughlin
When Everything Falls Apart: 7 Strategies to Get You Through By Melissa McLaughlin
What a glorious message to read today! Thank you Melissa.
Glory to God! Christ alone is our Rock and refuge! Be blessed in His strength, dear Melissa.
Your post is so full of hope. Thanks for providing such an uplifting message. I needed to hear this today.
Thank you for reading, Yvonne. Jesus is our life and breath and strength. When we are weak, then He is strong. May we stand strong in Him. Bless you, dear sister.
God is our rock! As scripture reminds us, ‘He is a very present help in time of trouble.” (Psalm 46) There is so much in life that we cannot understand; God can be trusted with all our fears, and at all times. Thank you for this post! God bless you in these days… I do know this, as you also know: “All things work together for good to them that love God.” (Romans 8:28) When the seas get stormy, we cling to the rock that will never fail us…His love and mercy endures through all the ages, and forevermore.
Amen! Thank you for that reminder of Psalm 46. Our God is a refuge, a Rock like no other. And yes, He is working things out for His glory and our good. For He is a good, good Father. May we rest our souls in His caring hands. God bless you with His peace, Linda.
Hallelujah and Amen Melissa!!
Rock of Ages cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee!
Great would be the fall of any house whose foundation was religious but not relational. How sad to not make that distinction. But, God is good and always does His part.
So true, Tom. Jesus made the way for us to draw near our Father God, through the blood of His sacrifice on the cross. He invites us into a relationship by grace, through faith in Him. Any religious efforts on our part will not stand before a perfect and holy God. We stand on Jesus Christ alone.
Thank you for these reminders that Jesus is our Rock in uncertain times. When all else fails us and calamity befalls our nation, Christ Jesus is our solid Rock who never fails us, never collapses, nor ever crumbles. He provides an eternity of security for he is solid forever!
Jesus Christ is a true security. Such a comfort and strength in these uncertain times. In Him, our eternal future is sure and we know He is with us through each day on this earth. The Rock of ages!
The lyrics to Rock of Ages immediately came to mind, Melissa. And I love your poem! So powerful! Jesus is not only the Rock of our salvation, but He’s also the Rock we stand on when the storms come in this world, and they will come!
I have been singing that beautiful hymn as I read these responses! Yes, the storms will come, He told us to expect them. But we stand steady on the Rock of ages. He will not be shaken and as we anchor ourselves in Him, neither will we! Such a gift in these turbulent times. Be blessed, my sister!
Even us we face unprecedented time, global crisis. We have anchor that holds in the times of storm, our faith on Christ Jesus the sold rock
Amen. Thank you for sharing your faith and encouragement Nelson. The Lord bless you!