Rock of Ages
He said,
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold and my refuge,
my savior; you save me from violence.
(2 Samuel 22:2-3 ESV)
(artist here)
Love this. The beginning of David's final song to God. He has fought his last battle, and his time on earth was ending. And God Himself defeated his final enemies.
So he praises Him. For a life that David declares at the end of this chapter..."For I have kept the ways of the LORD
and have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all his rules were before me,
and from his statutes I did not turn aside.
I was blameless before him,
and I kept myself from guilt."
(2 Samuel 22:22-24 ESV)
Say what? How can David say that? I mean, I do remember reading about some serious rule breaking and guilt in this book. Let's begin with Bathsheba for starters and don't forget he murdered her husband...
...so this always gets me. But, then I remember to look for Christ in every story I read in the Bible. Aaaand, commentary doesn't hurt either ;o).
From Psalm 18 (ESV) commentary..."This could be taken as absurdly self~righteous if it were not for two obvious facts: first, this song comes from 2 Samuel, which is plain about David's sins; and second, the ways, rules, and statutes of the LORD include provisions for receiving forgiveness of sins. Thus the claims of Ps. 18:21 I...have not wickedly departed from my God, clarifies it all by saying that he has held fast to the life of faith."
Now there is something I never saw before. God's statutes include provisions for receiving forgiveness of sins...my goodness, of course! Sweet relief. What's even more amazing is that David had not yet even received the provision of the cross.
How many hours do I nauseatingly (is that a word?) focus on the law and how I do not measure up to it. Wanting to fix my conundrum with more law. The never ending death giving cycle.
And all the while, Christ stands ready. To forgive. To free. To give life. And dear me, I only need receive.
David messed up, that is for sure. And so have I and still do. But I am inspired by his final song, his complete faith and trust in God that his sins were forgiven. He doesn't even mention them in this final verse! I'm only guessing here, but because God saw fit to end 2 Samuel this way...I'm pretty sure He's whispering something here...can you hear it?
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand 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 my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee."
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold and my refuge,
my savior; you save me from violence.
(2 Samuel 22:2-3 ESV)
Love this. The beginning of David's final song to God. He has fought his last battle, and his time on earth was ending. And God Himself defeated his final enemies.
So he praises Him. For a life that David declares at the end of this chapter..."For I have kept the ways of the LORD
and have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all his rules were before me,
and from his statutes I did not turn aside.
I was blameless before him,
and I kept myself from guilt."
(2 Samuel 22:22-24 ESV)
Say what? How can David say that? I mean, I do remember reading about some serious rule breaking and guilt in this book. Let's begin with Bathsheba for starters and don't forget he murdered her husband...
...so this always gets me. But, then I remember to look for Christ in every story I read in the Bible. Aaaand, commentary doesn't hurt either ;o).
From Psalm 18 (ESV) commentary..."This could be taken as absurdly self~righteous if it were not for two obvious facts: first, this song comes from 2 Samuel, which is plain about David's sins; and second, the ways, rules, and statutes of the LORD include provisions for receiving forgiveness of sins. Thus the claims of Ps. 18:21 I...have not wickedly departed from my God, clarifies it all by saying that he has held fast to the life of faith."
Now there is something I never saw before. God's statutes include provisions for receiving forgiveness of sins...my goodness, of course! Sweet relief. What's even more amazing is that David had not yet even received the provision of the cross.
How many hours do I nauseatingly (is that a word?) focus on the law and how I do not measure up to it. Wanting to fix my conundrum with more law. The never ending death giving cycle.
And all the while, Christ stands ready. To forgive. To free. To give life. And dear me, I only need receive.
David messed up, that is for sure. And so have I and still do. But I am inspired by his final song, his complete faith and trust in God that his sins were forgiven. He doesn't even mention them in this final verse! I'm only guessing here, but because God saw fit to end 2 Samuel this way...I'm pretty sure He's whispering something here...can you hear it?
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand 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 my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee."
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