I Did Not Know Stay Meant THAT!

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

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.

All Gives Way

Again the writer creates another layer of imagery with the impact of the storms of life.  In this line there is the concession that sometimes everything around us fails us. From the parable Jesus told, the winds blew and the rains fell and the house that was built on the sand collapsed with a great crash [Matthew 7:24-27].

The only way to be certain we will still be standing when the storms have passed is to build our lives on Jesus. If we do not, we will finish the thought after this line very differently. When all around my soul gives way…I collapse hopeless and helpless as well. But that is not how we finish. When the storm has passed and the waters of the sea of life become calm once more the masts of our ship will still be standing tall, by God’s grace.

When all around my soul gives way

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Psalm 42:11a ESV

Stop for a moment and think about a time when it seemed as though everything around your soul was giving away. We have all experienced those disorienting times when turmoil plagued our souls. Did you turn to God then? Are you ready to turn to God the next time?

Desperation and despair. We have all felt some degree of both when things in our lives begin to crumble. Sometimes it seems like everything is falling apart. In those moments our souls have a choice to make.

RESONATE!
When the storms come it is too late to think about the foundation of your soul. Think about it today. Build on Jesus. Know His word and do it. You have a choice. Ask the Spirit to remind you that you always have a choice. Choose to build your life on the rock of Jesus. All other ground is sinking sand.  Pray, “Spirit, remind me that I always have a choice.”

Hope and Stay

Here is another example of a word in hymn that might not be well understood by many who sing it. When I have sung the word “stay” in the context of this stanza it has meant to be that Christ is certain, an unshakable hope when everything else fails. While that is true, it is likely that Mote understood a different meaning of that word that is wrought with imagery.

A stay is a large strong rope usually of wire used to support a mast. In the image here you can see those ropes holding the mast in place. There are many of them, each placed strategically to provide an incredible amount of support to the mast as it withstands the force of the winds against the sail. Without the support of the stays a mast could never stand.

Think about how Christ does that same work for our souls. Though they are beat against by the storms of life, He supports us and allows us to stand strong against them. Without the support of Jesus we could never stand. Without the stay that Jesus provides, our souls would give way with everything else.

He then is all my hope and stay

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:11bESV

We can turn to Him in the most dire of dilemmas and find hope in Him even then. As you wait for the next one to come, are you committed now to praising Him even when it does? He is and will be your salvation. You simply have to trust in Him, placing all your hope in God.

And that choice is to trust Jesus to be your hope and stay. He is secure when all else is failing. Will you trust Him? Will you determine today to believe He is your hope and stay when all around your soul gives way?

RESONATE!
Jesus wants to be your hope and stay. He wants to support you when the fiercest of winds tear at the sails of your life. Tell Jesus your hope is in Him alone. Pray, “Jesus, my hope is in You alone.”

Jesus, I want you to be my hope and stay. Teach me to trust you on the calm days, so when the winds pick up I am prepared. Then I will be able to stand when all around my soul gives way. In Jesus name. Amen.

Stayed Thinking!

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Image Attribution
When all around my soul gives way – https://pixabay.com/photos/sunset-ship-sails-boat-sea-ocean-675847/
He then is all my hope and stay – https://pixabay.com/photos/mast-rigging-ship-sailboat-983904/