Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.2 He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples[a] under me. Psalm 144:1-2
An old familiar hymn provides the backdrop for not only our devotion today, but the Church in America too. We know the song as “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand”. The actual title is “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”. With the recent election drama, the next weeks ahead of legal battles, virus lockdowns and concern for future, let’s just say in 2020, hope is in great demand.
I shared with my wife the day after election night that I sense souls are weary. We are exhausted with the trials, battles and uncertainty who have become unwelcome houseguests of the heart and mind, determined to move in and be permanent residents. We have voted, we have social distanced, we have readjusted our schedules, travel and schooling. No matter where you are in the narrative, I discern you are needing to rest from the constant bombardment of noise demanding a response. Quitting can be easy to do when you are tired, frustrated and discouraged. Therefore, we need to remember what the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:13-14… “after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm…” In other words, I know you have been in a battle but guess what... keep standing but be aware of where you are standing. Right now, you do not want to be standing on mushy turf. No, now more than ever you need to be standing on the rock!
Let’s look at the second stanza of this beloved hymn. “When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace; in ev'ry high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.” Mushy ground is hard to get anchored in. I remember my football playing days when the field was full of mud. It was always fun to play, though my mom never appreciated doing the laundry. But sure footing never happened. I played running back and receiver. Gone on those days were the sharp cuts and pass routes. A stormy gale can also be scary. Have you ever been in a stormy gale? I cannot say I have been on the open waters in the middle of one, but I have experienced a few tornados here in the Midwest. When you are in a battle, you want your feet to be sure and your faith anchored.
The word “stand” means to withstand or stand against. Things come at us in life designed by the enemy to destroy. John 10:10 tells us the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy. He has been busy in 2020. So, when the storms come that bring fear, the results we didn’t want, the diagnoses that sends chills. You know... the storms that want to drown you with waves of uncertainty of the future. When these storms come, you have to get to the Rock!
I would like to say that 2020 has lost its teeth, but I think it has some more chewing to do. There are a few more storms on the way. So, do yourself a favor and get to the Rock! Get there and stand in confidence. Get there and pray in the Spirit. Get there and stand on the Word. On Christ the Solid Rock You Stand!