“ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME, LET ME HIDE MYSELF IN THEE”

Aug. 24, 2014

“ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME, LET ME HIDE MYSELF IN THEE”

“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.”

There’s an unsubstantiated tale that the author of  the song “ROCK OF AGES, Toplady wrote the lyrics on the back of a playing card when taking refuge during a storm in a cleft rock in a gorge in the Mendip Hills in Somerset. God tells Moses in Ex. 33:22 (NIV) “When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.”

Moses’ request to God had been, “Show me your glory.” And God responded, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock…I will put you in a cleft in a rock and I will cover you with my hand.” Moses then witnessed God’s presence after He had passed by.

In addition, as God was passing  Moses became “HIDDEN IN THE CLEFT OF THE ROCK.” although God’s hand was covering Moses, there was never any doubt in Moses mind, of God’s love, grace, mercy and goodness.

Solomon states; “My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” Song of Solomon 2:14 (NIV)

As I meditate over what a cleft means to a child of God, I picture a mothers love who hoovers over her newborn, which gives the child cover and comfort from all outside influences until they are able to adjust to what lies ahead in life. Or a mother bird who will build an “isolated, inconspicuous nests for her young, hidden away, to avoid detection by predators.”

So I look at God’s faithful, so vulnerable at times to Satan. But as the song says “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling; naked,” come to thee for dress;” My friends God’s presence must become our CLEFT for He is our Rock the foundation of our righteousness and faith and endurance.

We cannot move until we fully understand what being in the presence of God truly is, for only in that CLEFT OF THE ROCK can we find comfort and grace and hope. “During the terrible days of the Blitz, a father, holding his small son by the hand, ran from a building that had been struck by a bomb.

He sees a shell hole. Seeking shelter as quickly as possible, the father jumped into the hole and held up his arms for his son to follow. Terrified, yet hearing his father’s voice telling him to jump, the boy replied, “I can’t see you!

“The father, looking up against the sky tinted red by the burning buildings, called to the silhouette of his son, “But I can see you. Jump!” My friends God sees us, so we must give Him our all, so jump, because He is the CLEFT AND THE ROCK of our life.

And as we go through the storms of this life, and we don’t see the horizon of the sun or Son, we must Cry out as David, Lord; my spirit fails Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you.” Ps. 143:7-9 (NIV)

Consistent with this, what we will here next should be comfort to all of God’s children who believe when he says “Why are you afraid, [my child] of little faith?” [while at the same time He begins to] rebuked the winds and the [turbulence of our life], and [then through the CLEFT OF THE ROCK and our faith and endurance, our life will then become] perfectly calm.” Matt 8:25 (PRV)

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY