Solid Rock or Sinking Sand?

For the past few months, there has been a constant stream of news, chatter on social media platforms, WhatsApp messages on the Covid-19 pandemic, and the images and stories can leave one feeling overwhelmed. The global pandemic caused by COVID-19 has been transforming the lives for many    of us in an unimaginable way, as many have to stay or work from home, on   an unprecedented scale, and having to avoid meeting up with friends, colleagues or family members.

The current pandemic has shaken some people to the very core and exposed the true nature and durability of their foundations that they have built their lives upon, such as careers, businesses, or financial investments and these are likely to be impacted with the possibility of the economy sliding into recession even when the lock down restrictions are lifted.

And when I was struggling to make sense of the current situation and feeling overwhelmed, I was reminded of this timeless hymn by Edward Mote, who understood the importance of placing our trust in Christ and a secure foundation. The first verse and the chorus of the hymn goes like this:

“My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Chorus

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.“

The text of this hymn is packed with grace and truth, revealing a deep reflection on the hymn writer’s salvation and the price Jesus paid on his behalf. The chorus refers to the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matt. 7:24-27) and was constructed around the metaphor of Christ as a rock that withstands any storm, and uses the analogy whether you are talking about the foundation of a physical building or the foundation which you have built your life around.

You may not be able to tell two houses apart from the outward appearance but it’s the foundation hidden below which will decide which house will withstand when put to the test. Building our house on God’s Word as the bedrock of the foundation takes time, commitment and energy, but will withstand any storm that comes, as opposed to a house built on sand which will crumble when exposed to extreme weather.

Storms are a normal part of life and will come and go and each one of us will face them at some point of our life. Even after the Covid-19 pandemic blows over, there will be other storms (be it a financial setback, work pressure, relationship or health issues and so on) that will come our way, but if we place our trust in Christ, our foundation will stand firm when built in Him.

During this “time out” during the Circuit Breaker, if we have been building our foundation on sand, let us take time and start pouring God’s Word unto the foundation underneath us and our family.

Let us build our lives on Christ the solid foundation by:

–  Surrendering and Trusting our lives in totality to Him

–  Obedience to God

–  Spending time to read the Bible and having our quiet time with God

Jesus is the rock that will not move or budge, and He is in control. His truth is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

By Lim Sheng Chin, deacon (YCKC Bulletin 17 May 2020)