Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for February 11

ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME

From: February 11, 2024

‘And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.”‘ (Exodus 33:21-22 ESV).

The Lord hid Moses in the cleft of a rock, letting him catch a glimpse of His glory as He passed by. Many have meditated on the meaning of this rock. Among them was Augustus Toplady, who wrote the well-known hymn, “Rock of Ages.” First published in 1775, the hymn became the most popular in all the English-speaking world. Its first verse shares Toplady’s meditation on the rock as a symbol for Christ and His work of salvation:

“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,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.”

Surely, he was inspired by this passage from Exodus, but he also saw it through the eyes of the apostle Paul who wrote, “That rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4). So Toplady saw that just as God had hid Moses in the crevice of the rock, so He offers to hide us from His wrath by the Rock of Ages, who is Christ Jesus. Toplady wrote that this Rock was “cleft for me.” So, Christ’s side was “cleft” or “riven” (both mean “to cut or split”), so that water and blood flowed from His side to cure us from sin’s “guilt and power.”

As Paul wrote, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Are you hidden in Christ Jesus, the Rock of Ages cleft for you?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the saving work of Jesus, who died that we might have eternal life. He took our sin and our separation that we might receive His righteousness and Sonship. Thank You. Now we are “in” Christ and He is “in” us. We are one. Strengthen us to live for Him today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

THE SILENT SAVIOR WHOSE SACRIFICE SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS

From: February 11, 2023

“But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent” (Matthew 27:12 NLT).

The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate marveled greatly at Jesus’s silence in the face of His accusers. Surely he had judged and condemned many a man, but never one like this. Who was this man that stood silent with such quiet dignity?

Neither Pilate nor the chief priests and elders recognized this silent savior. Yet, his silence was foretold by the prophet Isaiah centuries before: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isa. 53:7).

Our Savior was silent before His accusers, yet His silence speaks loudly to those who have believed. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is the One who died in our place, so that we might live forever through faith in Him.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are often full of excuses for our sins, yet our silent Savior spoke not a word on behalf of His innocence. Because of Jesus we no longer make excuses, but come openly confessing our sins, knowing that You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and wash us from all unrighteousness. Thank You Jesus. In Your name we pray, amen.

“I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by” (Exodus 33:22 NLT).

From: February 11, 2022

ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME

The Lord hid Moses in the crevice of a rock, letting him catch a glimpse of His glory as He passed by. Many have meditated on the meaning of this rock. Among them was Augustus Toplady, who wrote the well-known hymn, “Rock of Ages.” First published in 1775, the hymn became the most popular in all the English-speaking world. Its first verse shares Toplady’s meditation on the rock as a symbol for Christ and His work of salvation:

“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,

Cleanse me from its guilt and power.”

Surely, he was inspired by this passage from Exodus, but he also saw it through the eyes of the apostle Paul who wrote, “That rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4). So Toplady saw that just as God had hid Moses in the crevice of the rock, so He offers to hide us from His wrath by the Rock of Ages, who is Christ Jesus. Toplady wrote that this Rock was “cleft for me.” So, Christ’s side was “cleft” or “riven” (both mean “to cut or split”), so that water and blood flowed from His side to cure us from sin’s “guilt and power.”

As Paul wrote, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Are you hidden in Christ Jesus, the Rock of Ages cleft for you?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the saving work of Jesus, who died that we might have eternal life. He took our sin and our separation that we might receive His righteousness and Sonship. Thank You. Now we are “in” Christ and He is “in” us. We are one. Strengthen us to live for Him today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by” (Exodus 33:22 HCSB).

From: February 11, 2021

CHRIST IS THE ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME

The Lord hid Moses in the cleft of a rock, letting him catch a glimpse of His glory as He passed by. Many have meditated on the meaning of this rock. Among them was Augustus Toplady, who wrote the well-known hymn, “Rock of Ages.” First published in 1775, the hymn became the most popular in all the English-speaking world. Its first verse shares Toplady’s meditation on the rock as a symbol for Christ and His work of salvation:

“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,

Cleanse me from its guilt and power.”

Surely, he was inspired by this passage from Exodus, but he also saw it through the lens of the apostle Paul who wrote, “That rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4). So Toplady saw that just as God had hid Moses in the crevice of the rock, so He offers to hide us from His wrath by the Rock of Ages, who is Christ Jesus. Toplady wrote that this Rock was “cleft for me.” So, Christ’s side was “cleft” or “riven” (both mean “to cut or split”), so that water and blood flowed from His side to cure us from sin’s “guilt and power.”

As Paul wrote, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Are you hidden in Christ Jesus, who is the Rock of Ages cleft for you?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the saving work of Jesus, who died that we might have eternal life. He took our sin and our separation that we might receive His righteousness and Sonship. Thank You. Now we are “in” Christ and He is “in” us. We are one. Strengthen us to live for Him today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly” (Matthew 27:14 NKJV).

From: February 11, 2020

THE SILENT SAVIOR WHOSE SACRIFICE SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS

The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate marveled greatly at Jesus’s silence in the face of His accusers. Surely he had judged and condemned many a man, but never one like this. Who was this man that stood silent with such quiet dignity?

Neither Pilate nor the chief priests and elders recognized this silent savior. Yet, his silence was foretold by the prophet Isaiah centuries before: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isa. 53:7).

Our Savior was silent before His accusers, yet His silence speaks loudly to those who have believed. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is the One who died in our place, so that we might live forever through faith in Him.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are often full of excuses for our sins, yet our silent Savior spoke not a word on behalf of His innocence. Because of Jesus we no longer make excuses, but come openly confessing our sins, knowing that You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and wash us from all unrighteousness. Thank You Jesus. In Your name we pray, amen.

“As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by” (Exodus 33:22 NLT).

From: February 11, 2019

ROCK OF AGES

God agreed to show Moses His glory, but had to hide him in the cleft of a rock so he wouldn’t die. Whenever I read this passage, I always find myself singing, “Rock of Ages, cleft for me. Let me hide myself in Thee.” Whatever Moses saw, it must have been amazing because even those who saw Moses’ face later were struck with awe and fear. The mere residual reflection of God’s glory on Moses’ face was so awesome that he had to wear a veil.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, like Moses we would ask to see Your glory manifest in our lives. We know that Jesus is the supreme revelation of Your glory to us. Yet, we would have more of Him reflected in us. As we begin this day, let others see Jesus in us. As we with “unveiled faces” (2 Cor. 3:18) consider the ever-increasing glory that awaits those who will spend eternity with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“But Moses tried to pacify the Lord his God” (Exodus 32:11 NLT).

From: February 11, 2018

MOSES THE INTERCESSOR

When the people sinned with the golden calf, God threatened to destroy them and start over with Moses. But Moses interceded, not according to the people’s worthiness, but according to God’s covenant and God’s reputation. Moses remained and interceded even though God had asked him to “leave him alone” to let His anger blaze against the people. Moses took God’s instruction to leave as an invitation to stay and intercede. Like Abraham who interceded for Sodom, Moses interceded for the Israelites and God relented.

“…but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle” (Exodus 33:11 NKJV).

From: February 11, 2017

After Israel’s idolatry over the golden calf, Moses set his tent outside the camp and called it the “tabernacle of meeting.” There, Moses would meet with God. The pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the tabernacle door, and the Lord would speak to Moses. Moses would come and go between the Israelite camp and the tabernacle, but Joshua “did not depart from the tabernacle.” Notice the detail given concerning Joshua:

1) His name – “Joshua,” in Hebrew is יְהוֹשׁ֫וּעַ, or “Yehoshua,” which means, “the LORD is salvation.” This is the same name given to Christ (From the Greek Ιησούς, iesous or “Jesus”).

2) Moses’ servant – While the rest of Israel, including Moses’ own brother, Aaron, committed idolatry, Joshua remained a humble and faithful servant to Moses. In like manner, Jesus was a humble and faithful servant to His Father.

3) Son of Nun – Joshua, son of Nun, was from the tribe of Ephraim (Num. 13:8), which was the son of Joseph. Joshua descended from the half tribe of Joseph. And Jesus was known as the legal descendent of one named Joseph.

4) Young man – Joshua was much younger than Moses. Moses was at the time in his 80s, while Joshua was probably in his 50s. This makes me feel better about my age. The Bible says that the 50s is young! I like that! Jesus was a young man in his 30s when He fulfilled His ministry.

5) Did not depart – Joshua stayed at the tabernacle continually. The Scripture doesn’t comment on his activity there, but it must have involved serving Moses and perhaps guarding access. Jesus was also known for not departing from the Temple. Even as a 12 year old boy, his parents found him there talking with the teachers (Luke 2:41-51).

Moses was the lawgiver of Israel who was unable to give them rest (salvation); that honor was given to Joshua, who brought Israel into the Promised Land after Moses died. Similarly, Jesus, the Son of God, has accomplished that which the law could not do, namely, salvation for all those who believe (Rom. 8:3-4). And now, He never departs from the presence of the Father, always interceding for us (Heb. 7:24-25).

“But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer” (Matthew 27:12 ESV)

From: February 11, 2016

Fulfilling the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah, Jesus was silent before his accusers: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isa.53:7). Every time I read the story of Christ’s trial and crucifixion, my mind screams against the injustice. I hear myself saying, “Speak up Lord. Don’t let them falsely accuse you.” But then I remember. He did this for me. He stood before a human judge and was condemned to death. Jesus, the Son of God, went silently “like a lamb that is led to the slaughter” for me.
The One who spoke the universe into existence was silent. He was condemned in our place, so that there is now “no condemnation” for those who are in Him (Rom.8:1).

“Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy” (Psalm 33:3 NKJV)

From: February 11, 2015

I love the old hymns. Hymns like “Amazing Grace,” written in 1779 by John Newton and later joined with the tune “New Britain” in a hymnbook published in 1847. Yet, I also love to sing a new song written by a new generation of believers. As a generation gets older it is easy to reject anything new. We cling to that which moved us when we were young. But I especially love when modern artists combine the old and new, like Chris Tomlin’s version of “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone).” Tomlin “skillfully” brought the old song into the present giving it new life. We have to be careful not to worship the old songs, rather than the Lord of which they were written to praise. Our goal should be to “sing to Him” and to “play skillfully” to Him. Every culture and generation should yearn to sing new songs and to play them with excellence because our Lord is the One who inspires our worship.