Rock of Ages
Psalm 62:5-8
For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me LBW 327
1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood, from thy riven side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure; cleanse me from its guilt and pow’r.
2 Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law’s demands;
could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone; thou must save, and thou alone.
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.
4 While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyelids close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.
Text: Augustus M. Toplady, 1740-1778
Augustus Toplady, an interesting name for an interesting man! He was a constant thorn in the side of Charles Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Toplady was a student in Glasgow when he was converted. He was the son of a chimney sweep and came from a working class family. But as he studied, he began to take exception to some of Wesley’s teachings. Wesley had embraced “Arminian” theology. Whereas Calvinism emphasized the sovereignty of God with "double barreled” predestination, some are saved, some are damned, Arminianism emphasized the responsibility of a person, placing salvation firmly in our hands as the results of our actions. Both of these extremes describe the state of modern American Protestantism which wants to emphasize one or the other. Lutherans believe that while salvation is exclusively God's work, we are responsible for our actions and their consequences in this world. Wesley wrote “I refuse to engage in a debate with a chimney sweep” so Toplady wrote this hymn as a response.
Curiously, Lutherans do not sing this hymn often, which is, to me, curious, as it is, at heart, a very Lutheran point of view! Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law’s demands; could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone; thou must save, and thou alone! That’s about as Lutheran as it gets!
May in Mental Illness Awareness month, a topic dear to the heart of ACLC. We are receiving a series of prayers that focus on aspects of Mental Health provided us by the good folk of Oesterlin Services.
Prayer: Healing: Although most mental health conditions have no cure, we know God can and does bring healing to many. So we pray God intervenes and touches all who are suffering from mental illness, and we commend them, and those who love and care for them, to his keeping. Amen.