I confess that I am overwhelmed on a daily basis by current national and global news. And I suspect many of you are as well. What was once unthinkable is now commonplace. Just consider the following headlines gleaned from current news:
1. Christian persecution continues to escalate throughout 2015 and into 2016.
2. ISIS crucified Christian children who refused to convert to Islam.
3. Christian bakery fined thousands for refusing to make cake for gay wedding.
4. Boko Haram burns Christian villagers alive.
5. President Obama funds Islamic terrorists in Syria, turns blind eye to plight of Christians.
6. Former Secretary of State shrugs off four deaths at Benghazi embassy.
7. Administration continues to relocate Syrian ‘refugees’ to America.
8. German government can’t confirm whereabouts of 600,000 “refugees.”
9. Rape epidemics reported in Germany, Sweden, and Finland.
10. President visits mosque with radical ties, thanks them for their contribution to America.
11. Planned Parenthood sells aborted children’s organs; whistleblower indicted.
12. Global financial crisis continues.
And these stories continue to play out with each new day.
Are you screaming yet?
As I sit transfixed by some new horror of the day unfolding on the television, the words of an old hymn began running through my head. I realized that we do have a place to go, we do have a shelter from the constant storm that rages around us. It’s a shelter large enough and strong enough to keep all of us.
“Rock of Ages, Cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.”
Our Rock has been there from eternity past, waiting to give us sanctuary, to shelter us from the storms of life. The author of 1st Samuel understood that, writing in verse 2:2:
“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one beside you, there is no Rock like our God.”
David understood this well, writing in Psalm 18:2:
“The Lord is my fortress, my rock and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Then again in Psalm 31:2:
“Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue, be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.”
We know in our hearts that all these things must come to pass. And still we are often fearful. We have to consciously make ourselves remember we have a place to go. Can you imagine living through today’s news and not being saved?
In your daily routine do you ever interact with people who are fearful and are unsaved? I truly believe the time is short, that we will soon see the Lord coming for his Bride. It may be late in the harvest season, but there is still time to gather.
We have a Rock of Refuge. There are still many who don’t. We can offer them a strong fortress that will keep them and their loved ones safe from the storm. There may be no better time to bring others to the Lord. There may be no easier way to begin a conversation than offering needed sanctuary.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul so beautifully wrote in Verse 3 “16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
There is power and majesty in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Let them be our refuge and our Rock.
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in thee.”