Solid Rock

A few days ago I started a new (to me) book, called Second Guessing God: Hanging on When You Can't See His Plan by Brian Jones (a pastor in PA). I've only finished chapter one, but the principles are very solid so far and quite timely for my heart, for this semester in my life. He doesn't write so much as a theologian, but rather as a mentor who has seen his faith renewed through Scripture and his relationship with God.

I love the following words from Jones' professor who encouraged him in his struggle. During his senior year of seminary, Jones had all but given up on his faith and trust in God.

"...I have stood where you're standing. I've felt the water cascade across my feet. I know how wonderful that feels. But I've also had the water go back out to sea. I've felt the sand get washed out from underneath my feet...when the last grain of sand is finally gone, you're going to discover that you're standing on a rock."

Hebrews 6:17-20

"Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us: which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and stedfast and entering into that which is within the veil; whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."

Matthew Henry comments on this passage:

"The consolations of God are strong enough to support his people under their strongest trials. The comforts of this world are too weak to bear up the soul under temptation, persecution, and death; but the consolations of the Lord are neither few nor small...it is an anchor that is cast upon the rock, the Rock of ages. It does not seek to fasten in the sands, but enters within the veil, and fixes there upon Christ; he is the object, he is the anchor-hold of the believer's hope."