“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” Matthew 7:25
Dear Ones:
In our present time, there are many, very many, waves and winds of culture and circumstances that could, and would, toss us about, making us subservient to their effects. And yet, God, using the illustrations of nature, portray to us a remarkable contrast, that of immovable rocks being hammered by the elements. He also uses trees, “…And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Ps. 1:3) How can such stability and fruitfulness be known in a world of change, with enemies of soul and body, surrounded by men plagued with selfish pursuits to the detriment of all else? From Heaven’s standpoint, there is but ONE answer. “…For they drank of that Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Cor. 10:4) Note that there was not only the “knowledge” of this Rock, but that “they drank” of that Rock. What does this mean? The Psalmist speaks of God as our refuge, and strength, “…a very present HELP in time of trouble.” (Ps. 46:1) What we see here is not only the presence of God, and the availability of God, but the very intervention of God. The Psalmist goes on to say: “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make GLAD the city of God…God IS in the midst of her; SHE SHALL NOT BE MOVED.” (v. 4,5) Even the opposition of the heathen (unbelievers), or the tottering of kingdoms, cannot alter the reality of God’s presence and promise: “…she shall NOT be moved.”
It is wonderful to grasp something of these truths, but how do these truths become me, for it has been said that truth is not mine until it becomes me. If Christ is in our hearts by the Spirit, how do I know Him as my stability, and live from day-to-day with Him as my Rock? Many years ago when I was in Bible school, we were taught that, most of what we were learning would be forgotten. However, there were certain things that we were NEVER to forget, as they were fundamental to faith, and the experience of the victorious life of Christ. The first of these truths is our inseparable union with Christ. This is essential to all appropriation of Christ in every and all circumstances. But, how does the reality of this truth, and others, remain REAL to us, so that we readily, quickly, turn to Christ to drink of Him? The answer is in the “centerpiece of heaven.” That centerpiece is the remembrance, and the worship of the Lamb of God, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and the King of kings, and Lord of lords.
In the book of Revelation, we read that the redeemed overcame Satan, the accuser of our brethren, “…by the blood of the Lamb.” (12:11) It is in the worship of this Lamb of God, slain before the foundation of the world, that the remembrance of Who and What He IS, and what He has accomplished and finished, stabilizes us. It is as we daily worship Him, dependent upon the Holy Spirit, and according to the absolute truth of the Word of God, that faith is strengthened by God, and we are able to “drink” of Christ, our strength…our Rock. Strengthened faith is that act and attitude that partakes of Christ, receives all from Him.
Dear Father, give us an ever-increasing vision of thy Son, what He did, and who He is in this moment. Anoint our eyes to see Him, glorified, victorious, the sovereign God and Redeemer, who will NEVER fail or forsake us. Give to us a spirit of worship by which we can truly praise, bless, and attribute to Him, in the measure that is possible, the worth that is due Him. Lord Jesus, we would remember Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad