THE ROCK

 

 

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof, and so on. You knew that these jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently, He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace.”  (C.S. Lewis, “Mere Christianity” (NY MacMillan 1960) p 174)

Indeed when we make God our partner in life, He will make of us something far more than we ever expected, and yes at times the construction will hurt. There is one aspect of that construction, however, that C.S. Lewis omitted, and that is the foundation. Why is the foundation important? Compare a recklessly built wooden shack (that most of us build of ourselves) on a sandy beach to a sturdy palace with a foundation firmly embedded in the rocks of the earth. Which one would survive the winds of inclement weather and storm? Consider the Salt Lake Temple presently undergoing reinforcement which is addressing seismic concerns and building ‘a foundation that will withstand the forces of nature into the Millenium’ (President Russell M. Nelson, October 2021 General Conference). Think about what goes on in the temple and see the symbolism of how temple endowed members can have a firm foundation.

In relation to continuing revelation of God’s word in the last days, the Lord said through Nephi: “….wo unto all those who tremble and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon THE ROCK receiveth it with gladness, and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall” (2 Nephi 28:28).  And the rain can descend, and the floods come, and the winds can blow, and beat upon that house and it shall not fall if it is founded upon this ROCK (Matthew 7:24-27). Which rock do you ask is this that can withstand all the theories and misguided teachings of men and all viles of the adversary? Only one rock: The Rock Our Redeemer, The Rock of Heaven, The Rock of Our Salvation (Helaman 5:12; Moses 7:53; Deut 32:15;). He is the Rock, the only Rock that can be an invincible foundation. He is Christ the Lord, the God of our hearts, the Redeemer of our souls…..glory be to His name forever!

 

There is none like Thee,

My Saviour and my King,

With power and glory in Thy wings.

Who can compare and who can equal Thee?

How great Thy wisdom,

How great Thy protection,

How great Thy love

That fills my joyful heart;

How very great Thou art!

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Wise Man by Haley Miller)