Resting in the Rock of Ages

What is the safest place in times of life’s greatest troubles and storms? David knew great storms, and as he wrestled through one in a city, he confessed that God would hide him in the secret place of His presence.

“How great is Your goodness,
Which You have stored up for those who fear You…
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence
from the conspiracies of man;
You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues” (Psalm 31:19–20).

No matter how harsh the conditions around us are, we can go to God’s presence for safety. We find rest and security in our minds when we know who the Lord is and that His presence is with us.

Augustus Toplady was an itinerant preacher sharing God’s Word along several chapels and villages in England in the late 1700’s. Once, as he was riding through the countryside, he was overtaken by a dangerous storm. As the thunder shook and the lightning cracked across the threatening sky, he retreated to some cliffs nearby in order to take shelter under an overhang. The storm’s might was no threat to those rocks that had stood strong through ages of similar conditions. He was safe.

With this scene fresh in his mind, he wrote the well-known hymn, “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me.”

During all of life’s storms – both physical and spiritual, we find rest and comfort hiding in the Lord’s Presence. It is the rock of God’s grace given to us through the precious blood of Jesus Christ the secures His pleasure and grants us peace.

1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.

2 Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's demands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

3 Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.

4 While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.