HE HIDETH MY SOUL

"I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by." Exodus 33:22.  Years ago we visited Stone Mountain, in Georgia, and there we saw the great carving in the mountain that took many years to complete.  We heard how it was so large that when storms suddenly developed, the workers would just walk into the eyes or other parts of the carving for protection.  There was safety for them in the "cleft of the rock".  The great blind hymn writer, Fany Crosby, never saw this rock that gave the men protection from the storms, but she knew of the real Rock, Jesus Christ, who protected her.  Exodus 33:22 and her life experiences helped her pen one of my favorite hymns which has for many years comforted many of us during the storms of life.  I hope that it will be a comfort to you today if you are facing a personal storm.

(1)  A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, A wonderful Savior to me; He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock, Where rivers of pleasure I see.

Refrain: He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life with the depths of His love, And covers me there with His hand, And covers me there with His hand.

(2)  A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, He taketh my burden away; He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved, He giveth me strength as my day.  Refrain

(3)   With numberless blessings each moment He crowns, And filled with His fullness divine, I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God For such a Redeemer as mine!   Refrain

(4)   When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise To meet Him in clouds of the sky, His perfect salvation, His wonderful love I'll shout with the millions on high.   Refrain

(Words by Fanny Crosby, Music by William J. Kirkpatrick)

Listen to it here.  LISTEN

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

This week's hymn is probably my favorite and its words always speak to me, especially in challenging times. The author, Thomas Chisholm, was born in 1866 in the state of Kentucky. While he wrote over 1200 hymns, the one we remember the most is "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." Chisholm did not write this because something great and miraculous had taken place in his life. No, he wrote it because over his entire life he had learned to see the greatness of God.  At the age of 75, he wrote: "My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness."  Popular gospel singer and songwriter Beverley Shea first introduced it to audiences in Great Britain in the Billy Graham Crusades in 1954.   The tune is composed by William M. Runyan (1870-1957), with scripture reference from the Bible's Lamentations 3:22-23 - "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail."

(1) Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain:   Great is Thy faithfulness!  Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;  Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

(2)  Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.       Refrain

(3) Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!     Refrain

You can hear it here now.   LISTEN