RUN TO THE ROCK
01st Oct 2014
In Luke 12 Jesus warns us about phoniness, wearing religious masks and all forms of religious unreality; challenging words which cause us to examine ourselves and to seek to be real, honest and open.
Recently a man thanked me for the “Word for the Week” but with a question mark in his voice, and then said something about us always being up-beat, and did we never have any problems or down moments?
I do not want to be triumphalistic or unreal. I experience self doubt, sadness, shame and anger, which are all part of the human condition, but I also know Who to go to and how to get the resources that enable me to walk on with hope and strength for myself, and then for others.
Almost daily, we hear of those involved in suffering and sadness, rejection, misunderstanding and abandonment. I could go on.....but we have Jesus the Saviour, He is our answer whatever the problem and He gives hope and strength.
Once I met a man in Nigeria, although his face was radiant, I knew instinctively that he had been through great difficulties. He shared his story which confirmed my initial impression, but then said, “Whatever is happening or has happened - I’ve got the Lord!” Later I heard him singing an old hymn, which touched me deeply and brought many to tears;
Where should I go?
Where should I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul,
Needing a friend to help me to the end,
Where should I go but to the Lord?
Life is not always easy, no one escapes the pollution that a loveless society generates, BUT, we have Jesus, whose love never fails, whose understanding is total, whose resources and wisdom are supernatural, He and He alone is our Rock, our strong deliverer, our hope.
When Jeremiah was writing about his experiences of being thrown into a pit, he declares, “God’s great love and his compassion never fail, they are new every morning - Great is your faithfulness.” The Message says, “I’m sticking with God, He’s all I’ve got left.” (Lamentations 3:24)
Today, run to the Rock and hide in Him.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
