There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
1 Samuel 2:2 (King James Version Holy Bible)
1 Samuel 2:2 (King James Version Holy Bible)
Consider the rock before you. Let it represent the rock referenced in the prayer of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter 2 when she says, “neither is there any rock like our God.” Think of the splashes of color as the hopes, dreams, concerns and sorrows of people as they cast them upon this rock. Let the smaller rocks represent other things we place our hope in, lesser “gods” we place our trust in to bear our concerns or sorrows.
Questions to Consider
How is the Lord a “Rock” like no other?
What practical things do you think the smaller stones represent? What things do people place their hope in other than the Lord?
Consider the color on the large rock verses the color on the small rocks. Notice how the large rock seems to have almost limitless space to take on more color, whereas the smaller stones each seem to be consumed by whatever color they encounter. What do you think this means?
Consider the side of the rock in the shadows. Even though the dreams and sorrows are less visible there, do you think the rock can bear them as powerfully and fervently as the side in the light? How might the dreams and sorrows cast on the shadow side differ from the ones on the light side?
How is the Lord a “Rock” to you?
Have you placed some of your hopes, dreams or sorrows on things less stable than the “Rock” like no other?
Call to Action
What cares, sorrows, hopes or concerns are you carrying? How might you seek the Lord to give these to Him? How might you place your hopes and sorrows on the “Rock” who is like no other?
Final Thoughts
Why are you in despair, my soul?
Why are you disturbed within me?
Hope in God!
For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.
Psalm 42:5 (World English Bible)
My Hope Is Built
A hymn by Edward Mote
1. My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
Refrain:
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
2. When Darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.
(Refrain)
3. His oath, his covenant, his blood
supports me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.
(Refrain)
4. When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne!
Questions to Consider
How is the Lord a “Rock” like no other?
What practical things do you think the smaller stones represent? What things do people place their hope in other than the Lord?
Consider the color on the large rock verses the color on the small rocks. Notice how the large rock seems to have almost limitless space to take on more color, whereas the smaller stones each seem to be consumed by whatever color they encounter. What do you think this means?
Consider the side of the rock in the shadows. Even though the dreams and sorrows are less visible there, do you think the rock can bear them as powerfully and fervently as the side in the light? How might the dreams and sorrows cast on the shadow side differ from the ones on the light side?
How is the Lord a “Rock” to you?
Have you placed some of your hopes, dreams or sorrows on things less stable than the “Rock” like no other?
Call to Action
What cares, sorrows, hopes or concerns are you carrying? How might you seek the Lord to give these to Him? How might you place your hopes and sorrows on the “Rock” who is like no other?
Final Thoughts
Why are you in despair, my soul?
Why are you disturbed within me?
Hope in God!
For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.
Psalm 42:5 (World English Bible)
My Hope Is Built
A hymn by Edward Mote
1. My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
Refrain:
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
2. When Darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.
(Refrain)
3. His oath, his covenant, his blood
supports me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.
(Refrain)
4. When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne!