Singing Rock of Ages

Thursday, June 6

Singing Rock of Ages

Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to hill. Psalm 95:1-2

I’ve always been struck by the beautiful words of the old hymn ‘Rock of ages, cleft for me. Let me hide myself in Thee’. The hymn writer, Rev Augustus Toplady was saying Jesus is the ‘rock of ages’ and we can hide in Him, saved by the blood Jesus shed on the cross for our sins.

This imagery resonates deeply with the story of Moses, who experienced the protective and revealing nature of God as the Rock. In Exodus 33:21-22, we read about Moses asking to see God’s glory. God responds by placing Moses in a cleft of a rock, shielding him with His hand as His glory passes by. This powerful moment illustrates how God is both our protector and the source of our revelation.

God proclaimed His name more fully to Moses than to anyone else before him. It is fair to say Moses had an amazing relationship with the Lord. God had called Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, spoken to them, and given them the Covenant promises, but Moses was privileged to find out much more about what God is really like. God spoke to him on a regular basis in an intimate way ‘face to face, as a man speaks to his friend’ (Exodus 33:11).

Just as Moses was hidden in the rock for safety, we too can find refuge and salvation in the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ.

Find a quiet place today to meditate on God’s protection and presence in your life. Thank Him for being your Rock of Ages and ask Him to reveal more of His glory to you. Share this reflection with a friend or family member to encourage them in their faith.

Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, thank You for being our Rock of Ages, our place of refuge and salvation. As we sing “Rock of Ages,” help us to remember the protection and revelation You provided for Moses and how You continue to do the same for us through Jesus. Hide us in Your love and let us find our strength and safety in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Save me from its guilt and power.

Not the labor of my hands

Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

All could never sin erase,

Thou must save, and save by grace.

 

Nothing in my hands I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless, look to Thee for grace:

Foul, I to the fountain fly,

Wash me, Savior, or I die.

 

While I draw this fleeting breath,

When mine eyes shall close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown,

See Thee on Thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.