1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. (Psa 32:7)
Everyone needs a special place where they can go “hide” from the world to be alone. Some prefer the outdoors; others prefer a cozy spot in their home. My father used to own a piece of land that was nestled in the woods in Northern Maine. On it was a ponded creek with a beaver’s dam, much like the picture above. He and I would sit for hours watching the beavers swimming to and from the dam doing their work. When their work was finished, Dad would go over the dam and remove one of the big branches. This would cause the current to flow through the dam and the beavers would sense it immediately. No more than just a minute or two later, you would see a head pop from near their lodge and off to work they would go to repair the damage. My father loved this hiding place and he would take me to it often. Out of all the memories I have of him, this one is the most special.
So many times I’ve wanted to run away to this place where I can hide from the day’s drama! Unfortunately, Dad sold the land to someone I don’t know – plus we live a thousand miles away. But the Lord showed me that I did not need a physical hiding place because I had my time with Him. That hiding place can be anywhere and any time. I don’t even have to waste gas getting there!
As long as I am in my hiding place with the Lord, He will give me peace from the cares of this world. The Lord will bring such peace that He will surround me with songs of deliverance and escape. Deliverance and escape from what, you may ask? Our cares, trials, tribulations, temptations, depression, anxiousness, sorrows, etc. God promises to give us song! It is not natural to sing when we are sad, is it? David says he was surrounded with songs of deliverance from God. Meditating in God’s Word surrounds us with the Lord’s goodness and mercy. All through Scriptures we are lifted up, comforted, given joy, given peace and comfort. How can we not have a song on our lips when we serve such a compassionate God!?
Where is your hiding place, my friend? Have you run to it today to discuss the cares of this world with your Shepherd? He awaits to guide you, comfort you and encourage you. All you have to do is show up.
So I retreat to that haven each morning All my cares at His feet I do lay I leave them with Him for He loves me As I travel along life’s narrow way.
Psa 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Psa 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
My father used to own a piece of land that was nestled in the woods in Northern Maine. On it was a ponded creek with a beaver’s dam, very much like this picture. He and I would sit for hours watching the beavers swimming to and from the dam doing their work. When their work was finished, Dad would go over the dam and remove one of the big branches. This would cause the current to go through and the beavers would sense it immediately. No more than just a minute or two later, you would see a head pop from near their lodge and off to work they would go to repair the damage. My father loved this hiding place and he would take me to it often. Out of all the memories I have of him, this one is the most special.
So many times I’ve wanted to run away to this place where I can hide from the day’s drama! Unfortunately, Dad sold the land to someone I don’t know – plus we live a thousand miles away. But the Lord showed me this morning that I did not need a physical hiding place because I had my time with Him. That hiding place can be anywhere and any time. I don’t even have to waste gas getting there!
Psa 119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
As long as I am in my hiding place with the Lord, He will keep me from trouble. The Lord will bring such peace that He will surround me with songs of deliverance and escape from our cares, trials, tribulations, temptations, depression, anxiousness, sorrows, etc. God promises to give us song! It is not natural to sing when we are sad, is it? David says he was surrounded with songs of deliverance from God. Meditating in God’s Word surrounds us with the Lord’s goodness and mercy. All through Scriptures we are lifted up, comforted, given joy, given peace and comfort. We are also given instruction in how to move forward. How can we not have a song on our lips when we serve such a compassionate God!?
Notice also that the dam is a great representation of what we do with what God gives to us during our time in that hiding place. Do you take what God has given you and stand still like the water in the dam? Do you keep it to yourself? Or does God’s love and teaching trickle down to those you come in contact with throughout the day; like the flow of water after the branch is removed? God’s Word is constantly moving! Stagnant water smells and attracts unwanted critters. However, moving water is filled with life!
Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Where is your hiding place, my friend? Have you run to it today to discuss the cares of this world with your Shepherd? He awaits to guide you, comfort you and encourage you. All you have to do is show up. Then take what He gives you and share it forward!
So I retreat to that haven each morning All my cares at His feet I do lay I leave them with Him for He loves me As I move along life’s narrow way.
Rock of ages cleft for me Let me hide myself in Thee Rock of ages, cleft for me Let me hide myself in Thee
Let the water and the blood From thy riven side which flowed Oh, be of sin the double cure Cleanse me from its guilt and power
Nothing in my hand I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling Nothin’ in my hand I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling
Naked, come to Thee for dress (come to Thee for dress) Helpless, look to Thee for grace (Oh, look to Thee for grace) Vile, I to the fountain fly Wash me, Savior, or I die
Rock of ages (ooh, rock of ages) Cleft for me (cleft for me) Let me hide myself in Thee Rock of ages, cleft for me Let me hide myself in Thee (in Thee)
Augustus M.Toplady
The History Behind the Hymn
There is a popular story most hymnologists do not believe about the origin of this hymn text. That story was started 122 years after publication of the hymn text by a letter published in the Times [of London], June 3, 1898, from Dean Lefroy of Norwich, together with one from Sir W. H. Wills on the same matter. The burden of Lefroy’s correspondence is based on a claim made by Sir W. H. Wills regarding the origin of this hymn. Wills’ claim asserted that Toplady drew his inspiration from an incident in the gorge of Burrington Combe in the Mendip Hills in England. Toplady, then a curate (assistant Church of England preacher) in the nearby village of Blagdon, was travelling along the gorge when he was caught in a storm. Finding shelter in a gap in the gorge, he was struck by the title and scribbled down the initial lyrics. [3]
According to E. J. Fasham, a more likely inspiration for the text is a 1673 sermon by Daniel Brevint (who had been the Dean of Durham Cathedral). This sermon had been partially quoted in the preface to Charles Wesley’s Hymns of the Lord’s Supper (1745), which was in common use amongst a number of ministers of the period. The similarity between the passages from Brevint’s sermon and the hymn suggests this was the starting point for Toplady’s text.
Psa 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Psa 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Where do I go in times of trouble? I have been saved since 1980 and the answer to this question has changed a few times throughout the years. With each passing trial, I have learned to trust the Lord. (Proverbs 3:5-6) As I grew in the Lord, I discovered His faithfulness more and more. Each trial drew me to Him more quickly. His invitation to come to Him in times of trouble would be the first thing I ran to rather than go to Him as a last resort.
Nothing in my hand I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling Nothin’ in my hand I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling
Message for today
Is it any wonder why the world’s religions center on men’s works instead of faith in Jesus? Working one’s way to Heaven is a lie from the enemy. It is centered on the ver first sin, which is pride. This sin had Lucifer thrown out of Heaven and it carried on when he tempted Eve in the Garden. If I can say that I worked my way to heaven, then I can also tell you everything I did in order to earn it!
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
There is nothing that I can do that will wash away my sins. It is due to the wonderful gift that the Father has bestowed upon His creation! (John 3:16) Anything good I do before salvation is considered to be dirty rags. Mother Teresa was a wonderful person; her works for the poor and needy are to be commended. But they will only be commended here on earth. Her works amount to nothing because she did not have that relationship with Jesus Christ.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Jesus has a very special love for you. [But] as for me–The silence and the emptiness is so great–that I look and do not see,–Listen and do not hear.
–MOTHER TERESA TO THE REV. MICHAEL VAN DER PEET, SEPTEMBER 1979
A born-again Christian is given the Comforter, the power of the Holy Spirit, to be able to see the truth so that truth can set him free. (John 8:32) The promise from Jesus Himself tells us that the Holy Spirit abides with us for ever! Had Mother Teresa known Jesus, she too would have had the peace of God! (Philippians 4:7)
Joh 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Jesus paid a dear price in order for us to have that peace. He paid a great price for His Church so she can hide herself in the cleft of the Rock! It is through Him that we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us! (Romans 8:37)
If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
