The Rock of Our Redeemer

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

Is the Redeemer‘s rock our sure foundation

Or have we built on soft and shifting sand

This question begs reply and illumination

For it governs our place in God’s eternal plan

Ever been in an earthquake, tornado, or hurricane?  Unsettling, doesn’t quite cover the range of emotions you feel as either the ground moves beneath your feet, or whirlwinds easily pick up and blow away anything not secured or anchored sufficiently.  Fortunately, the ability to predict tornadoes and to know that a hurricane is coming are now a part of our technology – less so with earthquakes.  Like so many of life’s tribulations and trials, for some we can be forewarned while others strike without notice.

As we observe today’s headlines, it seems that not only the number of tragedies is increasing, but also their intensity.  Around us each day are not only whirlwinds of environmental catastrophe, but terrorism, political and legislative failure, and an epidemic of moral decay.  As debris swirls around the vortex of these tribulations, we can easily be affected – damaged and hurt by these shafts in the whirlwind.

In such circumstances we ask, “Where do we stand?”  In a society that seems to meet crises by abandoning time-honored values and principles, we are left to be tossed about by every wind of so-called politically correct doctrine.  History records many groups, nations, and societies that have faced similar circumstances – we are not the first.  The Bible is just such a history.  When rocked by war or famine, or disaster, there always emerged a prophet to declare the mind and the will of God.  Receptive societies embraced the words of the prophets - rebellious societies would often suffer calamitous results.

God’s will for us as declared in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, provides an anchor in the storms of life.  The rock of our Redeemer is the sure foundation upon which we stand to battle the elements – whatever they may be. 

Our meditation encourages us to build on the sure and safe foundation of the Savior, the Redeemer of all.

Let us build a firm foundation for our life

And hold the iron rod firmly in our hand

Facing trials, troubles, turmoil and strife

On the rock of our Redeemer let us stand

The Rock of Our Redeemer

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Book of Mormon   Helaman 5:10-12

The foundation on which we build is of concern

As the devil sends sharp shafts in the whirlwind

As all his hail and mighty storms around us churn

Only the Rock of our Redeemer keeps us safe from sin

Is the Redeemer‘s rock our sure foundation

Or have we built on soft and shifting sand

 This question begs reply and illumination

For it governs our place in God’s eternal plan

Only upon the rock of our Redeemer are we secure

Only with obedience to the covenant and principle

Only on His rock are we safe from Lucifer’s allure

Only by trusting God can we become invincible

Let us build a firm foundation for our life

And hold the iron rod firmly in our hand

Facing trials, troubles, turmoil and strife

On the rock of our Redeemer let us stand

Larry Doyle Crenshaw