Saturday, July 2, 2011

Words to Live By


In 1776, there was a publication that may have even more significance then the one we currently celebrate in the US.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure.

Could my tears for ever flow, Could my zeal no languor know,
These for sin could not atone, Thou must save, and Thou alone;
In my hand no price I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling.

While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.

Written by August Montagu Toplady, the verse takes us beyond denomination, beyond nation, but as a people in need of God's redemptive plan, in need of freedom from sin, in need of the liberating sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.

God is not one to shift with the changing tide of the times or politics.

"Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. (James 1: 17-18)

History is filled with the ebb and flow of influences and events, but of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, there is no greater influence.

(portions shared from
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries)

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Jocelyn, this is just a perfect share.

May her flag fly high & proud forever over this great land ... may God see the changes we need & grant us that blessing.

Happy 4th, sweetie.

TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon

Allie said...

Amen - what a great post - thank you hon!

Pamela said...

I love this song. There's another that speaks of God being our rock. "Oh then to the rock let me fly, to the rock that is higher than I."

There we find freedom, freedom from sin.

Blessings,
Pamela

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Good morning Jocelyn,
I love that old hymn and I'm so thankful that God doesn't change. Hebrews 13:8 ~ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, yes, and forever. Amen! Wonderful post! Thank you for sharing and have a lovely Fourth of July.

Blessings,
Sandi

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, and I totally agree.
Blessings,
Charlotte