Rock of Ages

Psalm 77:6  I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

I always find it so amazing when in the dark moments of life God gives a song.  The one on my heart now is an old hymn.

ROCK OF AGES by the Reverend Augustus Montague Toplady written in 1763 and first published in The Gospel Magazine in 1775.

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,
Save from wrath and make me pure

Not the labor 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.

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.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall 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

This hymn is regarding as one of the Great Four Anglican Hymns of the 19th Century. Traditionally, it be told that Rev. Toplady, who was a preacher in a village called Blagdon, drew inspiration from an incident in the gorge of Burrington Combe in England.  While travelling along the gorge he was caught in a storm.  Finding shelter in a gap in the gorge, Toplady was struck by the simple words Rock of Ages.  Right then he scribbled down the initial lyrics upon a playing card, the beginning of a hymn that was being born in his heart.

Rock of Ages, Cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee.

The fissure that is believed to have sheltered him is now marked as the "Rock of Ages", right there in that rock. 

(research source: Wikipedia)
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How oft it is that we too can be traveling along, doing God's bidding, and an unexpected storm come upon us.  Aren't you so thankful for the Rock in your life?  Aren't you so thankful for a Song in the night?  Truly God is shelter in any storm.  So grateful to know Him.  So grateful to know His infinite grace and love.  He is worth hiding in, my friend.