Hiding In Thee

Copyright 2013 PJ Stassen

All Rights Reserved

Few sinners are saved after the first twenty minutes of a sermon.

-       Mark Twain, 1835-1920.

   In his book, ‘Tavern Of The Seas’, Lawrence G. Green writes that the best way to kill a dangerous snake threatening one’s life is to hit it in the middle of its back with a stick.  He says: “So, when you come across a snake, stand perfectly still until it moves off.  The best way to kill a snake is by hitting it in the middle of the back with a stick.  Although the head is the most vital point, it is hard to hit; and if missed it gives the snake a chance to strike.  By breaking its back it is rendered helpless and the head can be dealt with at leisure.” (Green: 117).

   By analogy, Jesus has broken Satan’s back at Calvary, but his head must still be crushed by God under the feet of the faithful.  The Bible says:

[1. Breaking Satan’s Back at Calvary]

   And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

   Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

    And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.  (Colossians 2:13-15 KJV).

[2. Satan’s Tactical Error of having Jesus of Nazareth Crucified by the Authorities of the Time]

   But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

   Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:7-8 KJV).

[3. God shall Crush the head of Satan Under the Feet of the Faithful]

   And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. ( Romans 16:20 KJV).

   Until the head of Satan is finally crushed underfoot, our only hiding place of note is in Jesus Christ, the blessed Rock of Ages.

YouTube

Hiding In Thee

(William O. Cushing, 1823-1902/Ira D. Sankey, 1840-1908)

O safe to the Rock that is higher than I

My souls in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;

So sinful, so weary ‒ Thine, Thine would I be;

Thou blest ‘Rock of Ages’, I’m hiding in Thee.  

In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,

In times when temptation casts over me its pow’r,

In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,

Thou blest ‘Rock of Ages’, I’m hiding in Thee.

How often in the conflicts, when pressed by the foe,

I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe;

How often, when trials like sea billows roll,

Have I hidden in Thee, o thou Rock of my soul.

CHORUS

Hiding in Thee, Hiding in Thee;

Thou blest ‘Rock of Ages’,

I’m hiding in Thee.

Bibliography

1. Andrews, Allen (1969)   Quotations For Speakers And Writers.  Newnes Books.  Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd. London.
2. Green, Lawrence G. (1947/1956) Tavern Of The Seas. Howard Timmins. Cape Town.

3. Peterson, John W. (1966)   Great Hymns Of The Faith. ‘Hiding In Thee’.  Singspiration.  Zondervan Publishing House.  Grand Rapids, Michigan.