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Let’s begin this week in song. (Sing along as you read if you recognize the lyrics)

“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. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.”

Edward Mote of London wrote this hymn in 1836. During his life, Mote helped establish a Baptist chapel in Sussex, England where members were so grateful for his assistance they offered him the deed of the property. Mote refused the deed, telling the church family, “I only want the pulpit, and when I cease to preach Christ, then turn me out of that.”

In the past few weeks we have been forced to slow or stop things we took for granted. Church services are, for the moment, online or non-occurring, while some localities discovered the use of an FM transmitter allowing drive-in church services where we can tune in our car radio and worship together with windows up, keeping our social distances while giving a loud honk for an amen during songs or sermons. Why are we able to do so many different items instead of meeting in buildings as we normally would? Because the church isn’t a building. The worship isn’t about us.

As Paul tells the Corinthian people in 1 Corinthians 3:11, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (NASB).” Jesus Christ is our foundation. Our solid rock. Verse two of The Solid Rock sings: “When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.” The second half of verse three sings: “When all around my souls gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.”

Do you hear the need of this song in your heart and mind this day? With life around us appearing in chaos. With politicians fighting non-stop. With news showing only negativity. When we can’t get around and live as we desire. When life seems to be caving in – on Christ, the solid rock, we must stand. Build your hope on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. As verse four of “The Solid Rock” ends, “O may I then be found…faultless to stand before the throne.” Lord, indeed in You, the solid Rock, we stand. We know all the ground around is sinking sand.”

We place our full reliance in You and You alone. May we build each other up as we strive to be the good needed today.

Rev. J. Cameron Bailey is pastor of Kenbridge Christian Church. He can be reached at jamescameronbailey@gmail.com.