Marriage Anchors

       In 1762 Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-1778) wrote the beloved hymn "Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me". He had recently been ordained as the Priest or Curate of Blagdon Parish, England. Evidently, one day he was caught in a horrific storm with thunder, lightening, and torrential rain. Since he was near high cliffs, he found shelter in a small cave or cleft in the rock. It was here he received his inspiration to write this wonderful hymn.

       Like you, I struggle in life. I am often lured by tempting bait. The song of the sirens woos my ship toward the rocks of disaster. There is no sense in trying to cover the truth. I am weak. The Apostle Paul once said that he was Chief of Sinners (1Timothy1:15-16). Well if that is true then I am on the Short List!

       As I follow Jesus, I find I have a choice. Since I am profoundly weak, I can choose this hour to either be foolish in my weakness or wise in my weakness. Dear friend, for me this is not as easy as it seems!

       As my mind often drifts through the day, I find myself wanting that God, my Heavenly Father, would revolve around me, my prayers, my dreams, and my desires. After all, I say that I love Him and want to bring Him honor. Right?

       This is where I can easily deceive myself. As I seek the Lord Jesus, I discover that my desperate need is not for Him to bless and comfort me and address all my needs. Rather, in the simplest of terms, my desperate need is for Him and Him alone.

       When I choose to fully realize my bankrupt condition of my spirit before my holy, matchless, and eternal God, then and only then can I gaze upon my Savior. Only when I allow Him to break me completely will I know what absolute surrender is.  

       There are four stanzas to “Rock of Ages, Cleft for me.”  Note carefully the third:                        

       3. 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!

         Please carefully look at this 1900’s post card. What do you see? Do you see the storm? Or do you see His Cross? Do you see her circumstances? Or are you beginning to see her Savior. Look. She is not only clinging to the Cross of Jesus but her eyes are on Him.

       Let me invite you right now, this moment, to take a deep breath and slow down your pace. Drop all of your dreams and your hopes at the foot of His Cross. Dump all of your sin, your failure, and your disappointments as well. Join me. Let us run to His Cross. Let us cling to it. In so doing, we look up into the kind and assuring face of Jesus, the Great Redeemer of our souls and the Good Shepherd of our hearts. It is here we are invited to stay. It is here we must stay.

       Dear friend, be encouraged and strengthened this hour! May the Word of God capture you and define you. Then may He shine through you to those who need Him.

‘Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”’   (NLT)

The Apostle Paul said, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”  (NIV)

Again Paul said, “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.”  (NLT)

Paul stated, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  (NLT)

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”    (NIV)

He also promised, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”   (NLT)

King David wrote, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”   (NIV)

David also wrote from the depths of his heart, “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.” (KJV)

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If my wife Barbara and I can help you and encourage you, please contact us at:

Office: 262-642-5092 or Jim’s Cell: 262-745-4160

[email protected]

Click to get our newest free E Book: 7 Glues for your Engagement & Marriage: http://www.cruresources.com/3/post/2012/07/marriage-mentors-and-authors-say-there-are-7-glues-that-help-hold-relationships-together.html

Click to get our free Marriage Anchors E Book:    http://www.campuscrusade.com/promos/MarriageAnchors.html

Click to get our free Rekindling Your Faith E Book: http://www.campuscrusade.com/promos/RekindlingYourFaith.html

If you are not sure if your sins are fully forgiven or you are fearful of your eternal destiny, click here:

https://marriageanchors.com/2012/05/18/your-anchor-dont-leave-port-without-him/

Also please visit our website at:  marriageanchors.com

God bless you,

Jim (& Barbara) Grunseth

CRU