on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand…
this week, as i was walking through the “bog people” exhibit at the carnegie museum of natural history, i really needed to remember that verse… the second verse especially touched my soul, because i know that recently it’s been very difficult for me to feel the presence of Jesus, to sense His transforming power and the indwelling of His Spirit… it’s been difficult for me to be obedient—matter of fact, i haven’t been obedient lately as far as evangelism goes; and it has been very difficult to control the influence that purely random thoughts have on my mind… very disturbing random thoughts and things that dishonor God and would not have him take His throne in my life… thoughts that shake the very foundations of my life and my faith in Him… thoughts that question the sovereignty of God in Jesus Christ and his ultimate and supreme governance and providence over the entire created order—including, and especially, eternity… thoughts that would have me distrust God with my life and death, treating them as separate though they are all part of the same life in view of the Gospel…
on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand…
as i thought about this verse (after pastor curtis mentioned the song during his sermon today) i realized that Christ’s grace remains unchanged and ultimate even when I do not feel Him near, or even when I cannot focus and direct my thoughts. i truly am thankful, even though i cannot say i’ve achieved ultimate resolve in my faith at the moment… i am truly thankful that Jesus is worthy of my unmitigated desire and trust. i thank God that in spite of the wickedness that seeks to sift me every moment of my life, that i can rest on, and am called by the name of Jesus.
when darkness veils His lovely face, i rest on His unchanging grace…
this brings my soul so much joy, just to know that the grace of Jesus never changes, and that it is my only claim to safety and wholeness. without the redemptive death, resurrection, and victory of Jesus Christ, i confess that i truly am nothing, especially in light of the fact that i cannot even control all of the forces at work inside of me (much less outside of me). i realize that despite my flesh trying to take a last ditch stand against the new person Christ has created inside of me, His grace never changes—always protecting me, guarding me, guiding me, sealing me…
and let the peace of God, which transcends all human understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus…
this brings me to this next line. i’ve been trying to know this verse for some time now… because i want to know that peace which transcends all human understanding. it’s this peace that will allow me to be certain about anticipating eternity in the presence of God… this peace will keep me resolute in the face of the godless schemes of the enemy… this peace is so important because it will strengthen me to stand on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. i’m most intrigued by the “guard your minds” part. i definitely want God to guard my mind such that i experience peace beyond all human understanding…