Tuesday, February 17, 2009

All Other Ground Is Sinking Sand

On Friday, I was so upset by the passage of the new stimulus bill, I sat down and wrote a ranting blog post. I never published it, though, because I knew it wouldn't be fruitful. Instead, I started thinking about an old hymn called "The Solid Rock" that has been on my heart and mind lately. It inspired the devotion I wrote for my church's Women's Ministry website this week. So instead of posting my rant about the stimulus bill, I decided to cross post this week's devotion here, too. I love the You Tube videos at the end and I also posted the lyrics to "The Solid Rock." Old hymns like that are sermons all by themselves.

From the Word:

Click and Read
Matthew 7:24-29


Key Verse:

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. -Matthew 7:25

My good friend and I were on the phone talking about some of the national news upsetting us lately. Shook up, she said, "I have to stop reading the news. It is too scary."

I told her, "I know what you mean. Sometimes, I feel like the America I have always loved and trusted in is eroding before my eyes, and I can't do anything to stop it."

Until recently, I was unaware of how much trust I've placed in our country, or how much security I've felt simply from being an American. In this current climate of uncertainty and change, I've felt like I'm standing on shifting sand, that my foundation has been shook. It's not a pleasant feeling.

During one of these episodes of fear, I suddenly remembered an old hymn from my childhood. I could only remember a few phrases, so I looked up the lyrics on the Internet. What a sermon that old song has preached to me these past few weeks. I can't get it out of my mind. I sing it in the shower. I sing it in the car. I sing it to my baby. (He doesn't mind how off key I am)

Every time bad news, politics, or current events trigger that insecurity anew, I sing again, "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand!"

As a follower of Christ, my security does not come from the success or failure of the U.S. Yes, I love my country. Yes, I'm proud to be an American. But, my foundation is the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ. He will never fail. He will never forsake me. My foundation hasn't been shook at all. He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.

Personal Application:

Have you placed your faith and trust in anything other than Jesus Christ?
All other foundations are weak and will fail you.
Renew your commitment to trust in nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.
As you look at current events, remember to whom you belong and in whom you trust. He will NEVER fail you!

More of God's Word:

1. When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation. -Psalm 10:25 (NLT)

2. But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. -Psalm 11:4 (NLT)

3. When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. - Psalm 75:3 (NIV)

Are there fears and worries facing you this week? I pray these songs will encourage you as they did me this week:













Here are the lyrics I've sung in the shower this week:

"My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

God Bless You!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks Becky, what a beautiful way to start my day. Sometimes I feel like I am sticking my head in the sand when I refuse to fret over the news 24 hours a day. But then I think of the Jews in Israel who live JOYOUSLY every day with bombs all around them and threats of annihilation daily. I can only trust in Him and live every day the Lord has made and choose to rejoice and be glad in it. Love, Mom

Kim said...

Beautifully put. I love songs like that,that are just comforting to know we have a God to rely on, Our Rock.

Hilty Sprouts said...

I love that hymn. He is truly the only one worthy of our trust. I've got to stop focusing on the fear I feel about the shifting sands and set my mind upon the rock of my salvation.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Jen

Anonymous said...

there is an incredible song by natalie grant called 'i will not be moved' and in her lyrics she says 'on Christ my solid rock i'll stand, all other ground is sinking sand...i will not be moved!' *sigh*

thanks for reminding me of where i need to return to. :)

jenifriend