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

A few years ago, when I was living in Virginia, my church pretty much fell apart.  I know it’s happened to others, and it’s even happened again to me since then, but this first time it felt like I was free falling and I’d never land on solid ground.  In a few short weeks I’d lost my church family and my care group. These were the things that brought me the most joy in my life.  Everybody divided and went their own ways.  Even my family that had attended the church together went off to other churches.  I felt like I’d never have joy again.  But during all this, God gave me a picture in my mind:

It’s dark; the rain is falling, the flood waters are rising, but I’m sitting on a rock.  The storm is raging around me, but I’m secure. 

I believe God showed me this to remind me of the Truth of his care and love, even when I don’t feel it.

When darkness seems to hide His face

I rest on His unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil

God would teach me, real soon after that, that even when I can’t see how He could possibly make things right again, that He can actually “do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work in us.” (Eph. 3:20)  God brought me, and my mom too, to a wonderful church family through whom He would work our healing and strengthen our faith for the trials that would come.  So that we would know God is in control and we can trust Him.  And He brought me joy and laughter again, and friendship and family.  And though Mom and I were only there a couple of years before moving to Florida, Christ had shown Himself to be the solid rock we would both need.

His oath, His covenant, His blood

Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way

He then is all my Hope and Stay

A few years after moving to Florida, my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and in a few short months she was gone.  She was my mom, my friend, my confidant.  My mom was a prayer warrior who never ceased to pray for her children and grandchildren.  In her last months, she reminded us again and again that God was in control.  Her faith in Him and His promise for her salvation were secure.  My last moments with my mom were laughter.  She died with peace and grace.  And for a moment, it was like the sweet fragrance of the Lord was in that room.  Christ, the Solid Rock, brought her to the end of her race – He was the Author and the Finisher of her faith.  Christ, the Solid Rock, held me in His strong arms and continues to write my faith.  I grieve because I miss her, but I have hope because the promises of my God are sure.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.  He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’  And He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’” 

Revelations 21:1-5a

Christ is the Solid Rock because His promises are yes and amen.  He never fails.  He is my hope and my stay.  He is the reason I can sing.  He’s the laughter in my soul.  He is the Author and the Finisher of my faith.

When He shall come with trumpet sound

O may I then in Him be found!

Dressed in His righteousness alone

Faultless to stand before the throne!

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand!  All other ground is sinking sand.