Two days ago I stood at this shore listening to the pebbles symphony and marveling at their color. The cool ocean rushed over them and their beauty captivated me. It was refreshing, yet as I stood I heard the Lord speak, “Do you stand on the rock or the shifting sand?”
Suddenly, the pebbles washed out under my feet and I realized the emptiness beneath me. I knew quickly the answer and my pride felt it too. The Lord was speaking about my worth and my identity. He was making known the issue within my heart.
In Matthew 7:22-24 Jesus tells the parable,
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.
My identity has not been placed on the rock, Christ, but in peoples opinions and beliefs of me. I am realizing I have missed the gospel. I have failed to realize that who I am is who He is in me.
This month the Lord has taught me so much about the death the law brought (old convent) and the life grace brought (new covenant). He is revealing to me that it is not about what I am, but who He is and what He did for me.
God keeps asking me if His Sons death and resurrection is enough for me to stand confidently on.
Thus, my prayer for this month is to grow in my identity in Christ, to see what Jesus’ sacrifice gave us all, and to learn how to stand on the rock.
My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
