This week I am trying something a little different. I am no poet, or lyricist, or songwriter. All I know is that sometimes when our heart is hurting it is good to dig deep and offer up a song or psalm of praise to Jesus, the rock or our salvation. I ask you to kindly overlook poor grammar, lousy syntax, and punctuation errors as I attempt to just see where my heart and my hands will take me as I meditate on Jesus....the Rock.
Let me first start with my "life verse" (a psalm by David):
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and be in awe and put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40: 1-3)
O Lord, how many times have you lifted me out of the shifting and sinking sands known as anxiety, depression, and despair? Since my youth, you have faithfully stretched out your righteous right hand...grabbed hold of mine and pulled me out. When the only words I could cry out were, "Help me Jesus" You listened.
You heard my cry. As hot tears burned my cheeks and my face hid in a pillow you lifted me. Gently you turned my face toward yours. Out of the mud and mire you drew me unto yourself. You washed me clean and put my feet, not on slippery sand, but on a solid and secure rock. You gave me strength when I was faint. You gently held me like a helpless lamb in your strong arms until, once again, I was able to stand.
More than I could ever dream or imagine you restored joy to my soul. From the grave of weeping you pulled me out and restored hope to my dying soul. I never thought that joy could spring forth again...but You, O Lord are able to do the impossible. You are faithful to your promise that though weeping endures for the night...joy...yes JOY comes in the morning.
For I proclaim the name of the Lord; ascribe greatness to our God! "The Rock! His work is perfect, for all his ways are just; a God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is he." (Deuteronomy 32: 3-4)
On my own I am struggling, straining, striving, sinking, sorrowing. But You, Lord...You are my rock...the Rock of my Salvation. You save me, you shelter me, you sustain me, you shield me, you give me safety, you give me strength. You are my Savior.
Jesus, just like God lifted Joseph from the pit, He lifted you from the pit of Hell and fixed you firmly and eternally. Together with you I stand on the same elevated, sure, and everlasting rock of divine favor and faithfulness. Praise to God that He has lifted us all. In His divine mercy he doesn't leave us in our descent...no...He resurrects us to new life in you.
Though the enemy prowls about looking to destroy me...You, Jesus are my Rock. You are my fortress, my deliverer, my refuge, my redeemer, my restorer, my stronghold, my shield. I claim you as the horn of my salvation.
"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, you save me from violence." (2 Samuel 22:2-3)
O Lord, when your children Israel came out of Egypt and were parched in the desert, you burst forth living water from a rock to quench their thirst. So many times I have been in the desert. A desert of sorrow, or fear, or confusion, or doubt, but yet O faithful one you bring forth water from the rock to satisfy my needs.
You don't just sprinkle me in your love and living water...no you pour down on me like a thunderous waterfall. You drench me in your love and in your vast pool of mercy I am soaked...soaked by the blood of the lamb who died for me...soaked in the endless stream of love and mercy and grace. Your grace falls on me fresh and cold and life giving. Thank you Lord for the water you generously give me from the rock that saved Israel.
When the enemy pursues me with his ominous shadow of guilt and shame. You hide me Lord, in the cleft of your rock. There and only there I am safe. I am hidden from the evil one and you will not let him touch me. No, in you I am safe and secure. You will never forsake me nor let me go. I praise you that your promises are true and trustworthy. You will not let shame claim me.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:4)
When I am weary and worn, you my Lord and my rock, hide me in the refuge of your wings. I rest my tired head upon your rock and you cover me ever so gently with your feathers. You wrap me in love, and security blankets me as I fall ever so securely asleep in you presence. You are warm and gentle. Your presence gives me peace.
You are my rock and my fortress in all life's storms. No matter how high the waters rise...your rock that I stand upon stands even higher. So true you are to the promise that you will never let the waters sweep over me. The storms and waves may swirl about me...but my feet stand firm and secure upon you O Lord.
You are not only the rock...you are the cornerstone, Jesus, of my faith. You are the foundation and you are the capstone. You are the Alpha and the Omega. When the world wants to crush my faith...they can't because you are strong and keep my faith standing firm. You, O my rock, crush the shackles that bind me and I am set free to dance in your delight.
You give me purpose, passion, pleasure, peace and you and you alone make me perfect.
Behold, a King will reign righteously and princes will rule justly. Each will be like a refuge from the wind and a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry country, like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land. (Isaiah 32: 1-2)
You, O Lord, bore the storm so that by me it would pass and I would be spared. How ever do I thank you? How often can I praise your name that would be worthy of the love you have lavished upon me. O for a thousand tongues to sing your praises Lord.
O that I could build altars for every time you have rescued me, saved me and brought me THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death. You never left me there...no you bring me through. You lead me beside the still waters and you make me lie down in your green pastures. Thank you Lord, my rock, for restoring my soul over and over again.
I can never ever thank you enough for what you have done for me. Even if you never do another single thing for me...it will be enough that you set me free from sin. You paid the price. You and you alone. It is finished.
I am yours...O Lord, my rock...the rock of my salvation...
Be blessed...
An invitation to spread Christmas Joy...
Will you join with me in bringing Christmas Joy to Redeemer Christian School in Lahore, Pakistan? What we provide will, most likely, be the only gift that these children will receive this Christmas. $25 will provide one child with a warm article of clothing, a small toy/gift, and a warm and hearty Christmas meal. **$$ needed by November 15, to bring Christmas Joy**
Here are some of the faces of the students (orphans and impoverished children) who will have joyous smiles due to your generosity this Christmas season...if you decide to give.
We also have children on a waiting list hoping for sponsors...$10/Month will take one child off the streets and bring them into the safety of the classroom. Would you consider sponsoring one child for one year?
$25 for Christmas or $10/month for sponsorship:
Send contributions to: Bev Rihtarchik (put RCS in the memo line)
103 Silver Lining Lane
Cary, NC 27513
Visit the "Missions" tab on this blog for more information on RCS.
**In process of filing for 501c3 registration**
Thank you...may God richly bless you...
