When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In ev’ry high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
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.
Storms
Think about the last storm or the worst storm you ever experienced. D you remember what it felt like to get tossed around by the strength and force? Whether they are literal or symbolic, storms can wreak havoc and leave us feeling very helpless.
Even then we do not have to be hopeless. We can face the storms on our own, or we can turn to hope that is greater than us. The winds will blow and the rains will fall, but we can stand when we build our foundation on something that can withstand the worst winds imaginable.
Christ is that foundation. He is our solid rock.
In ev’ry high and stormy gale
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. Matthew 7:25 ESV
The storms come into every life. They are unavoidable. Maybe you are experiencing some gale force winds upon your faith today. Fear not! If you have founded your life on the rock, you will stand. If you have not, better start today! Find out what Jesus said and do it. Then repeat.
Storms are also opportunities to expand your capacity to be filled with peace in situations that are not peaceful. Think of a storm you have faced. Maybe you are facing one right now. Thank the Holy Spirit for helping you rest in the storms.
RESONATE!
You cannot avoid storms, but you need not fear them. Jesus wants to be your help in the storms, but You need to let Him. If you try to stand in your own strength, you will snap like a twig under the weight. If you rest in Christ, you can withstand even the worst storms. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Pray, “Spirit, help me to learn how to rest in Christ when the storms come.”
Anchor
It is a little hard to see, but this image is an anchor. Have you ever noticed many anchors are made with a cross at the top of them? I wrote about this before in a post about the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” if you would like to think a little more about that idea.
The cross is a symbol of our anchor. Christ is that anchor. Though storms come which assault our souls, our minds and even our bodies, our hope it anchored in something far more sure or steadfast than even the worst storm.
This is powerful imagery. Though we can not see Him, His presence being veiled from our sight, still we have confidence in His ability to keep us anchored. Just like the crew of a ship trusts an anchor to keep them from going adrift in the storm, so do we trust Christ, even when we can not see Him. Are you letting Him be your anchor.
My anchor holds within the veil
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, Hebrews 6:19ESV
There is an allusion here to the curtain of the Temple and the Holy of Holies, but remember, God tore that curtain when Jesus granted us access through His sacrifice. Even when storms come, we have a hope that overcomes. Thank God for being your anchor.
RESONATE!
Are you facing any storms today? Is your soul anchored in Christ? If not, take a few moments and ask Jesus to be that anchor for your soul and help you withstand the storm. Pray, “Jesus, thank You for being my anchor within the veil.”
Jesus, storms come, but I choose to trust in You. Help me put my hope in You and anchor it there. I believe You are sure and steadfast. In Jesus name. Amen.
Anchored Thinking!
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Podcast 28.2 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.
When darkness veils His lovely face
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son…Colossians 1:13 ESV
Whether spiritual or physical darkness ensues we can rest in the deliverance of our God. Even when we can not see Him we can rest in the fact that we are in HIs kingdom of light, no longer a kingdom of darkness. Ask Jesus to help you trust when you can not see His face.
I rest on His unchanging grace
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 ESV
We rest by hearing and doing what Jesus taught us to do. We do not simply stop doing. Sometimes we must start doing, and keep doing. These actions will make us wise and help us to build the foundation of our faith on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. Are you resting today?
In ev’ry high and stormy gale
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. Matthew 7:25 ESV
The storms come into every life. They are unavoidable. Maybe you are experiencing some gale force winds upon your faith today. Fear not! If you have founded your life on the rock, you will stand. If you have not, better start today! Find out what Jesus said and do it. Then repeat.
My anchor holds within the veil
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, Hebrews 6:19 ESV
There is an allusion here to the curtain of the Temple and the Holy of Holies, but remember, God tore that curtain when Jesus granted us access through His sacrifice. Even when storms come, we have a hope that overcomes. Thank God for being your anchor.
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
When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In ev’ry high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
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 Standing Through the Storms appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
In ev’ry high and stormy gale – http://gph.is/10LeO6M
My anchor holds within the veil – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/anchor-sea-cross-religion-661991/
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