The Solid Rock

Jesus is the only stability we can have through life. He is the only sure thing.

Biblia

Some weeks ago, we were in a Primary School assembly, performing the parable of Jesus about a man who built his house on the rock. His house remained stable in a storm. Another man, who built his house on the sand had his house destroyed.  In Matthew 7 it says:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 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. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

I was standing there in the scene watching the story unfold, with these two grown men, wearing their one size fits all robes and their tea towels on their heads (actually our wardrobe is far more sophisticated than that but you get the picture), standing behind cardboard houses, acting out this story for the children, making them laugh in places, making them be the sound of the wind and the storm in other parts, when it suddenly occurred to me how important it is to build our life on the firm foundation that is Christ Jesus. I have read and heard this story many times over the years but this time it hit home.

Jesus is the only stability we can have through life. He is the only sure thing. We are tossed around by every type of storm not only in our own lives but also the world around us seems to be getting worse and worse every single day. Without our Solid Rock we could go under. Our lives could go crashing down, but if we choose to stand on the firm foundation that is Jesus, we can have love, joy, hope and peace no matter what circumstances we are facing and no matter what we read in the newspaper or hear on the news.

‘On this the Solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.’

There are many references to The Rock in the Bible, none more beautiful than David’s song of praise in 2 Samuel 22:  He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;3my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my saviour—from violent people you save me.”

This passage has come from David’s personal experience. David knew God’s deliverance first hand on many occasions. He also used this same name for God in many of the Psalms. He knew the Lord’s refuge in his times of trouble. We, too, can have that same refuge if we cling to Him and trust only in Him, our Rock of Ages.  Jesus our Rock grounds and stabilises us. Even when the waves crash around us, He is our firm foundation and our true hope, a hope that the world cannot give.

“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee”

We can be thrown around by every type of storm of life. Inflation, interest rates, job losses, money worries, family problems, health crises, broken relationships and many other circumstances can all bring us down if we are not careful. Only when we have built our house on the rock, is there stability. As the world appears to be getting worse in countless ways we need to hold on tight to that Rock.

“We have an anchor that keeps the soul,

Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,

Fastened to the Rock that cannot move,

Grounded firm and deep n the Saviour’s love.”     

Charles Spurgeon is quoted as saying: “I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me against the Rock of Ages”  

Wow!! I am not sure I have got there yet. It is hard to to rejoice in our trials but James 1:2-3 says this:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 

It is difficult to literally be thankful and joyful in the problems we face and we cannot easily have an outward appearance of joy no matter what befalls us but we must trust the Lord, that everything works for the good of those who love Him and put our trust in Him. If we can let the waves of our suffering throw us against the Rock, then we can have a deep-seated joy and peace that passes all understanding.

“Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul” 

However, not everyone wants to build their house on the rock. Some people will stumble and fall against it. Isaiah 8:14 says prophetically about Jesus that He is: a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.

Knowing Jesus

There are several references in the Bible to the fact that “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” The teachers of the Law in the time of Jesus rejected Him as their Messiah even though they were with Him and saw His miracles. Instead, they were more interested in accusing Him of breaking the Sabbath rules rather than being amazed and pleased about His ability to heal. Still today many people have rejected the Cornerstone and it will cause them to stumble. The Bible is black and white not grey.  There is no such thing as “many paths lead to God”. There is only one way. People are offended by this in society today but the word of God is quite clear. 

Some time ago in a ladies’ meeting someone had a picture that has stayed with me. It was a rock standing in the middle of the sea with waves crashing around it. On the rock were the Christians and floundering in the stormy sea were the none Christians. The Christians were bending and struggling to pull up onto the rock those who were fighting for their life in the water. It made me think that there is no point, as Christians, to be content to be on the firm foundation when there are those around us needing help and guidance to find their way onto the Solid Rock.

As we stand on the Solid Rock let us tell others that they too can stand with us. Let us try to make them understand that their hope can only be in Jesus.

My hope is built on nothing less,

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

And I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly trust in Jesus name.

On this the Solid Rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand. 

 Author: Thelma Cameron

May God bless and enrich your life

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