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
The Solid Rock 1834
By: Edward Mote (1797-1874)
Listen to this modern version of this classic hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we continue our journey through this penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.
Frames
The imagery here again alludes to the parable of the wise and foolish builders [Matthew 7:24-27]. Think of framing a house. Everything that you add to the construction and all the contents depend on that frame being able to withstand not only the weight of al the construction materials, but whatever winds and storms may assail the house. You trust that the frame of your house will stand. You really give it no thought.
To put it another way, think of a chair. You rarely give any thought to whether a chair will support you. You trust the builder and all those who have sat on it before you. You expect it to support you when you sit on it.
To bring this line of thinking into our discussion, you must be willing to ask yourself what you are trusting to support you life, particularly your spiritual life. When the end of life comes will that in which you have placed your trust be able to sustain you? Many people never really ask themselves this question, and of those who do there are many who lack confidence in their answer.
The same need not be true for us. Jesus can and will sustain us through the storms of this life, and even beyond it. Some trust in the frames of their homes to stand, without ever giving any thought to the frame of their spiritual house. Others place their trust in other things to protect them when assaults come. We dare not trust any but Jesus.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
Some trust in chariots and some in horses…Psalm 20:7a ESV
In a context of ancient warfare, fighting for your life and your nation, chariots and horses were tremendous strategic advantages. Today we have other tools that tempt us to look to them for our hope. Can you identify the things that attempt to draw your hope away from God?
We must declare like the hymn writer that we dare not trust any other alluring foundation, but the truth is, we all do at times. Confess to Jesus there are times you place your hope elsewhere. Then ask for His forgiveness for those times you have failed to trust Him.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments to all the Holy Spirit to reveal other things in which you have trusted for your well-being. As He does, confess those to Jesus. Then ask for His forgiveness for those times you have failed to trust Him. “Jesus, forgive me for failing to always trust You.” Do it right now.
Wholly
Seems easy enough. Jesus is and has everything I need so I will trust Him. Until…
…your spouse files for divorce
…you loose your job
…you watch your children struggle through something beyond their control
…you choose a path that alienates many “friends”
…you face the possibility of having to sell your home
…you get that call about your mom’s cancer
None of those things, or any other that came to mind for you, change the reality of who Jesus is. None of the things we might put our trust in when we face those kinds of storms can sustain us like Jesus. In truth, they will all fail under the right/wrong circumstances. Jesus…never…will.
You can trust Him. Lean on Him. Invoke the power of Jesus’ name.
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
…but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7b ESV
When you become aware of the things that might otherwise tempt you to look to them for a foundation for your hope, renounce them by name, and affirm your trust in Jesus alone. Every other source of hope is like sinking sand when compared to the solid rock of Jesus Christ.
We aspire to a constant trust in Jesus. As the Spirit reveals Christ to us, this is what we long to do. Acknowledge you need help in this grand pursuit and ask the Holy Spirit to be that help so you can wholly lean on the unmatched strength, merit and glory of Jesus Christ.
RESONATE!
We all need help trusting Jesus alone. The Holy Spirit is the help we need, but we must invite Him to do it. Ask Him right now to help you. Simply pray, “Spirit, help me trust entirely in Jesus.”
Jesus, thank You for being the frame I can trust. The foundation for my faith. I want to trust you today. Help me. In Jesus name. Amen.
Simple Thinking!
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Podcast 28.1 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
My hope is built on nothing less
…you who through [Christ] are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. I Peter 1:20b-21 ESV
Our hope is in Jesus alone. Through Him we have the faith to believe that God raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory. It is tempting at times to put our hope in any other number of things, but ask again today God for the faith to build your hope on nothing less than Christ.
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
…you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers…with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:18a, 19a ESV
His blood and His righteousness ransomed us from the futile ways we knew before Him. They were the price God paid to give us hope. Nothing else could have ever given us this kind of enduring hope. Thank Jesus for shedding His blood to give you hope.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
Some trust in chariots and some in horses…Psalm 20:7a ESV
In a context of ancient warfare, fighting for your life and your nation, chariots and warfare were tremendous strategic advantages. Today we have other tools that tempt us to look to them for our hope. Can you identify the things that attempt to draw your hope away from God?
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
…but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7b ESV
When you become aware of the things that might otherwise tempt you to look to them for a foundation for your hope, renounce them by name, and affirm your trust in Jesus alone. Every other source of hope is like sinking sand when compared to the solid rock of Jesus Christ.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the Refrain.
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
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Framing Out Your Faith appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
I dare not trust the sweetest frame – https://pixabay.com/photos/foundation-hut-roof-1842108/
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-believe-religion-reserve-3319549/
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