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.

Here is podcast content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

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/

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.

Here is podcast content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

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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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/

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.

Here is podcast content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

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!

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

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/

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah, Christ arose!

Christ Arose 1874
By: Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

Listen to this modern version of this resurrection hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

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.

Victor

When Jesus rose from the grave He demonstrated more than just victory over the death. He was victor over every kind of darkness-sin, unrighteousness, death-everything. He broke the shackles that we could never have broken. He set captives free. He illuminated darkness we could have never escaped.

He is the victor.

He arose a victor from the dark domain

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison…1 Peter 3:18-19 ESV

This is a fascinating declaration. Jesus descended into the realm of the dead, not only to demonstrate authority over that realm, but also to “proclaim” to them in the spirit. There is more to this life than meets the eye and Jesus is the victor of every domain.

Though thought to be defeated, He arose victorious! He did so after descending not only into the grave, but the dark domain of the spiritual realm. When He arose in victory from there He demonstrated an unmatched authority. Thank Jesus for showing us nothing can defeat Him.

RESONATE!
Is there something you have been allowing to defeat you? Whatever it is, Jesus overcame it already, but you need to allow Him to help you apply that freedom to your living. Name it, then thank Jesus for defeating it and for showing You that nothing can defeat Him.

Reign

As if winning His battles over our darkness were not enough, He welcomes us to not only live in His light, but to reign with Him in it! I try to look into the heavens and imagine what that looks like, the victory the cross purchased, the life in the Spirit, Christ reigning on high, but the images are more than I can comprehend. Have you ever tried to imagine that glorious scene?

And He lives forever with His saints to reign

And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:5 ESV

Our Lord of light had power even over the dark domain. Having demonstrated that authority over death He will live forever. He invites us into that eternal life and even promises that we will somehow reign with Him forever and ever. Praise His name! Christ arose!!

He invites us into that victorious, overcoming reality. And it does not start at some point in the distant future. It began with the resurrection, and begins for each of us when we place our trust in Him. Affirm your desire to not only live in Him, but reign with Him eternally.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to look into the heavens with a sanctified imagination. What does it look like to reign with Christ on high? Ask the Spirit to give your a glimpse of that glorious reality. Allow your enhanced sense of reigning to impact how you live everyday.

Jesus, thank You for inviting me to reign with You, but first imply thank You for reigning. Thank you for enduring all that it took to redeem and welcoming us into that new reality. In Jesus name. Amen.

Eternal Thinking!

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Image Attribution
He arose a victor from the dark domain – https://pixabay.com/photos/hand-faust-violent-ward-victory-749676/
And He lives forever with His saints to reign – https://pixabay.com/photos/inspiration-heaven-spirituality-2706594/