"Rock of Ages Cleft For Me"

"For their rock is not like our Rock, as even our enemies concede." (Deuteronomy 32:31-- NIV)

I received a prayer request today for a "little Tristan."  It did not say what his condition is, but it sounded serious, some sort of cancer.  How well I remember 39 years ago, when just a few days after Christmas our son, Stephen, was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  The next six months were Hell on earth.  We lived an hour and fifteen minutes away from the hospital, had car trouble, but also faithful church members who helped in that regard.  In those days you could not stay at the hospital.  After about four months, a pastor in Columbus heard of our situation and offered a room at his place.  Sarah took advantage of this act of kindness.  I had dropped out of seminary, but still had to travel the 40 miles one way to take a class I needed which was only offered that semester.  Andrew, our second son, just a few months old, spent months at his grand parents in Johnstown, about six hours away.  Then on that most horrendous day of my life, June 12, 1970, that little boy who was so close to me, who even went to the hospital with me on a pastoral visit while he was suffering, left this life.

It is always painful to think, write, and talk about.  I hear today talk from so many in times of suffering that there is no pain, no fears, doubts, etc.  I cannot say such things.  Of course, I take great comfort, a comfort which helps one keep his sanity, that Stephen departed "to be with the Lord" Jesus.  But the void, the sorrow, the missing is still with me.  Sarah is different from me.  She rarely speaks of him, or about the whole experience, and I honor that.  But it has been no easier for her.

This may sound depressing.  I didn't mean it to be.  But I can tell you for sure, the word of our text is just as true for me today as it was that very dark June day so long ago.  Many have heard and read my testimony of reading through the God-Breathing Word that summer, how the Breath of God empowered me, how Jesus came to me more clearly than a physical vision, spoke to my heart, got me up--------------and has been sustaining me right to this very moment ("I Need Thee Every Hour").  My advice and encouragement to you today is please do not try to be superspiritual in times of suffering.  Read the Psalms, the prophets, Paul, and you will hear saints of old who were not afraid to admit their frailty, and, oh, how frail are you and I.  The hymn writer expressed it powerfully.
          "Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
          In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
          Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
          Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend."
          (Complete hymn on devotional blog site)

I have said good bye to grandparents and parents whom I love.  When I was 14, my junior high football coach, whom I loved and respected greatly, died suddenly of a heart attack.  And when I was barely 17, a friend of mine was killed in a car accident.  Life is not an easy road.  But I can say with absolute certainty----- There is no defeat to a person who is immersed in The Living Triune God, The Father, The Son Jesus Christ, Who is the Word, the Holy Spirit, Who is the Breath of God.  So many around us are looking to and leaning on a rock which is just a stage prop.  But what Believer cannot say with Moses, "For their rock is not like our Rock?"  I just pray that this truth, "even our enemies concede," that they abandon their "rock," and embrace "our Rock."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for writing on my heart, "Their rock is not like our Rock."  I believe Your Word, and so may it be, "as even our enemies concede."  Amen.
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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2



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