“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee…” Sometimes, we just want to hide ourselves. We seek rest. We’re tired. We want to rest our tired ‘tents’ somewhere safe, somewhere solid. Sometimes,nothing makes sense. Sometimes, we just want to hide ourselves and hear God speak audibly. We just want to hear Him.
The stories are written,and we know that even John the Baptist had doubts. John the Baptist, who even saw the heavens open, and the Holy Spirit descend like a dove and remain on the head of Jesus,and even proclaimed with his own lips, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” (John 1:29). But, it is recorded for all of us to read,
“And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the coming One, or do we look for another?”(Matthew 11:2,3).John the Baptist had doubts! Even John the Baptist!
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you heard and see.” (Matthew 11:4). “The blind receive their sight and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
But there are times, in this sojourn, our tents have been set in the wilderness, and we just ‘don’t know!’ We just need to hear it straight from God! What are the things which have been told? “Remind us Lord, what are the blessings promised? Hide us Lord, and speak, Your servants are listening…”
“My dear child, you are growing, yes, you are growing in the ‘grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ my Son.’ (2 Peter 3:18). Growing is painful.But you are growing in the knowledge of Him when you seek the blessings promised. You see, ultimately, He is the blessing promised. Jesus doesn’t give you peace, He is peace. “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”(John 14:27).
Jesus doesn’t give you strength, He is strength; “I will love You, O LORD, my strength, the LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer…”(Ps. 18:1).
Is your health poor? “I will restore health to you…” (Jer. 30:17). Do you have wounds, my child? “I will heal your wounds says the Lord…” (Jer. 30:17).
Are you an outcast? Have you been ‘cast-out’? Do you feel no-one cares, that no one seeks after you?
Haven’t you heard the promises? “Thus says the Lord: Behold I will release from captivity the tents of Jacob, and have mercy on his dwelling places; the city shall be rebuilt on its own old mound-like site, and the palace shall be dwelt in after its former fashion.” (Jer. 30:18). “Out of them [city and palace] shall come songs of thanksgiving and the voices of those who make merry.” (Jer. 30:19). These promises are for Israel past and present, dear child, but they are for you as well…
“But the firm foundation [laid by] God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are are His, and let every one who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it.” (2 Tim. 2:19).
Don’t just look from the distance on the Solid Foundation of God – build your life on it- invite Him to invade your tent! God’s voice is speaking! “In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah…” (Is. 26:1). (But remember, your tent resting on My Solid Foundation, to Me is also the ‘land of Judah…’ My word is for you, my child, and my chosen nation, Israel).
Rest your ‘tent’ on My Solid Foundation. “In that day…” the day each and every day, each and every moment that you choose to rest your tent on Me, “shall this song be sung in the land…”We have a strong city; the Lord sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. Open the gates…” (Is. 26:2), (Open the opportunities – our disappointments are God’s appointments,) “Open the gates, that the [uncompromisingly] righteous nation which keeps faith and her troth with God may enter in…” (Is. 26:2)
“WAIT A MINUTE!” (You might say), “I’m not ‘uncompromisingly righteous’, I don’t ‘keep faith in perfections!’ In this you are right, “There are none righteous, no not one.” (Romans 3:10), “But now, may the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing…”(Romans 15:13), believing in the promise of the One who came to Save! “But now may the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13).
Jesus doesn’t give you hope, He is hope!
Rest your ‘tent’ on the Solid Foundation of God! “Yes, ‘I will guard you and keep you in perfect peace whose mind… is stayed on me.”(Is. 26:3). “Commit yourself to Me, lean on Me, and hope confidently on Me.” (Is. 26:3). Rest your tent on My Solid Foundation and ‘trust in the Lord – commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently on Him – for ever;
for I AM an everlasting Rock – the Rock of Ages.” (Is. 26:4, Amplified).
Can you hear Me? He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Lord says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God, believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.” (John 14:1). Rest your ‘tent’ on this Solid Foundation, “In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes)(not tents!) If it were not so, I would have told you, for I am going to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2.
The blessing of Promise, is Jesus. “Think over these things I am saying – understand them and grasp their application…”(2 Timothy 2:7).”constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ, the Messiah, [as] risen from the dead…” (2 Timothy 2:8. (!).In that day shall this song be sung:
“I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved…”(Ps. 16:7,8).
“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory [my inner self] rejoices; my body, (my tent) shall rest and confidently rest in safety.” (Ps. 16:9)…”You will show me the paths of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy…”(Ps. 16:11).
Our Prayer? “Lord, help me ‘rest my tent’ on Your Solid Foundation!”
Skip to content
