- photo by Susan PageI walked along the waterfront trail, enjoying the rocks displayed along the pathway, which the neighbourhood children had painted. The works of art were colourful, creative, and, quite frankly, inspirational.

It got me thinking about rocks.

My memory bank opened files to the great old hymns of the faith. Lyrics from songs like "Rock of Ages" and "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand" came to mind. I returned even further to a tune I learned in Sunday School, “I’m on the Rock Hallelujah, I’m on the Rock to stay, Hallelujah, for He lifted me from the miry clay, and I’m on the Rock to stay.”

These days, the very foundation of our world seems to be shaky at best. There is no assurance as to what tomorrow holds, not that there ever was, but we make our plans anyway. Now, those plans, dreams, celebrations, travels, and everyday activities are sometimes put on hold. There are job losses and strikes, illness, death, tariffs, tragic fires, destructive storms and far too many wars. All manner of grief and uncertainty can leave us feeling shaky.

My thoughts turned to the theme of rocks more than normal, perhaps because of the daily news headlines. I asked myself, “Where are my feet planted?” “What, or more accurately, who is my secure foundation?” If I place my security in the things of this world, which are just fleeting, then I would be sinking. Bank accounts, careers, travel and even family and loved ones will not keep us grounded.

The Scriptures reference God as our Rock in multiple passages. When you think about it, our heads and our hearts can be as hard as rocks, and that is why we need the message pounded home.

- photo by Susan Page“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides You; there is no rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2).

“The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation” (2 Samuel 22:47).

“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 18:2).

“He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure” (Psalm 40:2). “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth, I call to You when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:1,2).

“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:4).

“Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any” (Isaiah 44:8).

“He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built” (Luke 6:48).

- photo by Susan PageNot only do we have the firm foundation of our Lord, solid and secure as the bedrock of our faith, but we also have the shelter of the rock, where we can hide in perfect safety.

Interestingly, many of the great hymns have been referenced directly from Scripture. The narrative associated with Rock of Ages may be compared to contemporary events currently unfolding.

A young minister by the name of Augustus Toplady was travelling through the rugged countryside near England’s Cheddar Gorge when suddenly a torrential storm erupted. Augustus was able to find shelter under a rocky overhang. It was there, as he stayed protected from the storm, that he conceived the beautiful hymn "Rock of Ages.” The hymn was formally published in The Gospel Magazine in March 1776. Augustus Toplady died of consumption at the early age of 38 years.

Through the centuries until the present day and yes, until time as we know it ends, Jesus is the solid rock on which we can firmly stand! “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.”

Susan Page is the daughter of the King, His beloved child, wonderfully forgiven and blessed! Susan longs to age gracefully, becoming more like Jesus as she seeks the hidden treasures revealed to her through Scripture, literature, the arts, humankind, and nature.