In Times Like These

I have a fond memory of something we used to do in church when I was growing up.  Every once-in-a-while, we would have a simple “hymn-sing” Sunday.  Our pastor or music leader would stand up and lead us through favorite hymns that people would call out from the congregation.  A lot of good singing, heads nodding ‘yes’, smiles, and the occasional tear of joy would be seen across the congregation as we sang of the promises of God, and His love for us.

On one occasion, when I must have been very young, a similar singalong was called for at the beginning of a midweek Bible study.  The pastor called out, “Are there any requests?”.  Wanting to get in on the action in youthful zeal, I opened the hymnal and called out the first song number I saw.  The pastor chuckled when he saw the title, and then let the rest of us know that he was not familiar with that song, but we might as well try to sing it anyway!  The song began like this:

In times like these you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

I distantly remember Pastor looking over at me and smiling and saying something like, “We’ll have to remember that one…”.  I still do remember that song.  It was a bit of a surprise to us all that night, but it became one of those musical seeds that sits in the back of your mind, only coming to fruition just when it is needed.

In times like these, we do need Someone to rescue us from the political, social and spiritual struggle we face.  His name is Jesus.  In times like these, we do need an anchor to help us hold to unfailing, timeless truths, upon which we can build our lives.  That anchor is God’s word.  In Psalm 103 we read these words:

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Never forget where your salvation lies.  It is not in the promises of a political candidate, nor is it in the musings of a poet.  It is not in legislation, experimentation, or exploration.  The elusive fix for the spiritual woes of the world is not so far off, unseen and unheard, it is found in Jesus Christ, it is right here among us!  Be very sure your anchor holds, and grips the Solid Rock!