Daily
Devotional

Many years ago, a young lay minister decided to discontinue a series of revival meetings after the first service because of poor attendance and a lack of interest among the villagers. Yet in spite of the apparent apathy of the people, a young man named Gus had attended the one service held, and had responded to the invitation to give his heart to God. Gus eventually became a minister in the Anglican Church, and during his ministry wrote 133 hymns. Although most of those songs have now been forgotten, one of his hymns written in 1776 has survived the years of time and inspired and reassured many in their relationships with God. “Rock of Ages” has been sung countless times in churches, homes, battlefields, and hospitals. The words, “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee,” have brought comfort to many individuals during times of trial and affliction.  

Tradition says that Gus (whose formal name was Augustus Montague Toplady) wrote this hymn while taking shelter in a cave during a severe thunderstorm. As the cave protected him from perilous weather conditions, he realized that God was his protection against the storms of life. David also wrote songs describing the Lord as his Rock and protection, and today’s focus verse comes from one such Psalm. David wrote these words after God protected him from Saul’s efforts to take his life. Amidst the uncontrollable circumstances that surrounded David, the Lord was his firm Rock.

If we are the children of God, Christ is our hiding place and refuge during the trials that we experience in our daily lives. Many times in my Christian walk, I have sought shelter in that Rock. One time in particular, when faced with a serious health crisis, I hid myself away with the Lord while I prayed for strength and deliverance. During that time, I felt the closeness of the Lord’s presence, and that cleft in the Rock became my spiritual Fortress.  

Are you experiencing a storm in your life? Just as David did, we can go to the Lord for protection and encouragement, and be assured that He will deliver us from whatever storms and trials come our way. Run to the Rock of Ages and hide yourself in the cleft that God has prepared for you until the storm passes by.