“On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.” I found myself singing the lyrics of the hymn “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” (LSB 575) in the spring while putting away everything in my classroom. The teachers had just found out that we wouldn’t be returning to school in person and that we should make our spaces “summer-ready” before leaving. I was singing the same tune when I came back into school at the end of July to prepare my room for the start of the year, but I wasn’t entirely sure what that would look like or what I should do to get ready. I found myself singing it again after our first day of classes. I believe it has become a theme song of sorts for 2020. I believe the Lord has placed this song in my heart for very good reasons.
“My hope is built on nothing less/ Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; No merit of my own I claim/ But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.”
Have you felt at any time in the last year that you just aren’t sure you can do what you have to do? There seems to be quite a bit of that going around. It is humbling to know that I don’t have the strength to navigate each day let alone finding my own way to heaven. You don’t, either. Thankfully, we don’t have to. Christ’s righteousness is ours by the grace of God. His strength is ours for each day and his victory is ours for eternity.
“When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In ev’ry high and stormy gale/ My anchor holds within the veil. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.”
Throughout life, change is always a constant. This year, it has been at an extreme level. The level of flux we have experienced is exhausting. In the midst of this turbulence, however, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). It is only in His unchanging grace that we can rest secure.
“His oath, His covenant and blood/ Support me in the raging flood; When ev’ry earthly prop gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.”
How many things that we have always considered so important have been suddenly stripped away this year? While many of those are good and important in this earthly life, perhaps many have been revealed for what they truly are: earthly props. When it comes down to it, hope in Christ is the only anchor we have. By the grace of God, we can look beyond this life to a certain eternity.
“When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found, Clothed in His righteousness alone, Redeemed to stand before His throne! On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.”
We have so much to look forward to! What a glorious day of victory it will be! When Christ returns, there will be no doubt about who He is. Because of His grace, there will be no doubt about who we are, either. We, His redeemed, will have a place before the throne of God! Now, we can find encouragement and courage to weather these storms because we know that we are dearly loved children of God, redeemed by His grace, and empowered by His Spirit. No matter what we face, we will continue to stand in His grace on the solid rock of Christ!
Mindy Walz,
English Teacher