A solid Rock

He has delivered us 

from the power of darkness 

and conveyed us 

into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 

in whom we have redemption through His blood, 

the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, 

the firstborn over all creation. 

For by Him all things were created 

that are in heaven 

and that are on earth, 

visible and invisible, 

whether thrones 

or dominions 

or principalities 

or powers. 

All things were created 

through Him 

and for Him. 

And He is before all things, 

and in Him all things consist. 

And He is the head of the body, 

the church, 

who is the beginning, 

the firstborn from the dead, 

that in all things 

He may have the preeminence. 

~ Colossians 1:13-18

Last night I was talking with a friend who is going through a challenging time that confronts every dimension (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual).  We talked about how precious it is to know our God is sovereign and good.  There are storms that rage in the lives of Christians.  I think of Job and how in the midst of his incredible pain he proclaimed that he knows his Redeemer lives.  Now there is a Rock to stand on!  When everything seems to be stripped away (plans, health, fill in the blank), we have a Savior who is not stripped away...a Savior who is our ever present Help in time of need...a Savior who will never leave us nor forsake us.

This morning I read this passage from Colossians.  And I broke it down to read it slow.  He is writing our story...we were created through Him and for Him.  And all that He creates, including us and the storms of life we face in His providence are so THAT in all things HE MAY HAVE THE PREEMINENCE.  My friend voiced her desire to know what it is she is supposed to be learning through all this.  I suggested (whether rightly or wrongly I'm not sure) that perhaps this isn't about learning as much as it is about praising.  When we can walk through trials, be they huge or small, with child-like trust and praise on our lips for the One who is our Redeemer, it is like a megaphone shouting out to all that He indeed does have the preeminence! 

He has delivered us from the power of darkness.  We have redemption through His blood.  He has conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love...we are not about ourselves, our plans, our health, our fame, our wealth, our "fill in the blank" anymore.  He has delivered us, redeemed us, brought us into a far more glorious kingdom (His).  Whatever we face today, it is no surprise to Him...He is writing our story, handpicking the scenes and circumstances in love so that as part of His body we can share in the privilege of making much of Him and advancing His kingdom.

It is pretty easy to think you believe this on sunny days.  But when cancer strikes, or the fruit of your womb dies, or your family is suffering from an ongoing lack of employment,  etc. --  it can rock you to your core and it is then that you really realize what a ROCK our Savior is.  He is our Refuge!  He is our ever present Help in time of need!  We can count on Him, rest in Him, praise Him even in the dark because He is always with us, giving us His grace, strengthening us with His joy, granting us His peace which passes understanding, and assuring us that He is in control and that He is good.