[188]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MY JESUS IS MY MIGHTY ROCK
In the Old Testament the “ROCK” featured a lot. The first incident was when Moses struck the Rock at the Lord’s command {{Exodus 17:5-6 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb and YOU SHALL STRIKE THE ROCK, and water will come out of it that the people may drink,” and Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.}}. Originally in Numbers 20:8 God told Moses he had to speak to the rock, but Moses disobeyed and hit the rock twice,
Jesus Christ is the ROCK that was smitten – {{1 Corinthians 10:4 “and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock, which followed them, AND THE ROCK WAS CHRIST.”}}
For a weary traveller in the desert he needs rest sometimes and seeks shelter. Usually it is a tree or a great overhanging rock. The shade is most welcome. That was the basis of a line from a hymn “The shadow of a might rock within a weary land.”
A rock is very strong and large rocks are unmoveable. A mighty rock is so imposing that it provides strength. The image of a mighty rock was taken up by David who likened it to his strong defence, and shelter, and his salvation from his enemies. It was also his relief.
{{Psalm 18:1-2 “I love You, O LORD, my strength.” The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”}}
{{Psalm 31:2-3 “Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly. You are to me a rock of strength, a stronghold to save me. You are my rock and my fortress. For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me. Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly. You are to me a rock of strength, a stronghold to save me. You are my rock and my fortress. For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.”}}
A mighty rock speaks of stability and every single one of us needs stability and strength just for living. A person without Christ is like a small boat adrift in a stormy wind-swept sea.
The first half of the poem is about being lifted up from the world for safety and shelter in the pinnacle of the rock, which is Christ. It speaks of being alone with the Saviour. The second half explores that more and the Lord’s protection from temptation.
HOWEVER those who refuse to come to Christ, who mock the message, who despise it, who blaspheme it – these will also find the ROCK but it won’t be at all pleasant for them - {{1 Peter 2:8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offence,” for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and TO THIS DOOM they were also appointed.”}}
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MY JESUS IS MY MIGHTY ROCK
Lift me up from the world, O Lord,
To the pinnacle of the rock;
Undistracted, to contemplate,
Away from the harm and the shock.
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Earth’s scenes before me are displayed;
The contours of the land so clear -
They are not my primary goal;
‘Tis God’s small voice I want to hear.
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As the land before me is spread,
So is the wideness of Your care,
For my time away from the world,
Assists me here, its pain to bear.
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Lift me up from the world, O Lord,
To the pinnacle of the Rock,
For it’s Jesus who meets me there -
Just one little sheep in His flock.
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A banquet there the Lord supplies;
Lifted up and with Him alone.
In His presence all else is void.
I, the child He won’t disown.
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Lift me up from the world, O Lord;
In the cleft of the rock, hide me.
Away from temptations’ set snares;
Away from their clutches I flee.
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Hidden in You, my Protector,
And embraced by those loving hands,
Securely I rest in Your grace;
In all things, my Lord understands.
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Lord, keep me from sin and disgrace.
You are my Rock; in You I hide.
Deliver me from temptation;
In Your near presence to abide.
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The shadow of the mighty Rock,
Gives me a place to rest my soul.
There from the battle, I have peace,
And in that place I am made whole.
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My Jesus is my Mighty Rock;
My heav’nly journey He graces.
I need Him moment by moment -
Joy, hope before me, He places.
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5 September 2021 R E Ferguson 8-8-8-8