Sand Mountain Sermonette 83
Hebrews 6:19-20 (a); Isaiah 61:10, Romans 4:3-8; Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 4:14-16
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less!
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us…” Hebrews 6:19-20 (a)
I was blessed to have grown up attending Hewett Memorial United Methodist Church in Albertville, Alabama. I still remember fondly Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and all those pot-luck suppers surrounded by the presence of the wonderful pastors and members of the congregation I often think of when I recall those special days. And one of my favorite persons to recall was Mr. Rains who was our church song leader in the 1960’s. He was tall and skinny and really challenged the congregation to “sing out” when we stood and led the congregational hymns on Sunday mornings. And one of the favorite hymns of mine and the congregation’s at that time was Edward Mote’s hymn of 1834, My Hope is Built.”
Take time and ponder the four stanzas and the chorus:
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.
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.
3. His oath, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay.
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.
CHORUS: On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
Try this: With pen and paper in hand (or electronic device), make note of all the spiritual benefits given the person who “has built” (and is building) his or her life on the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross and who is therefore clothed in His righteousness (Isaiah 61:10, Romans 4:3-8).
Only the Jewish High Priest of the Old Testament could enter within the great veil that separated The Holy Place from The Most Holy Place in the Jewish Temple, and he could only do so once a year. But Matthew tells us how this great curtain was torn in two from top to bottom the day Christ died on the cross (Matthew 27:51)! Now, you and I as Christians have direct access to throne room of God. Read Hebrews 4:14-16 and be blessed!
Pastor Louie