Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Hiding In The Cleft of the Rock

As the days progress, I'm getting more and more pleasure from my cat Maverick.  Although he's still less than a year old and somewhat mischievous, i.e. climbing on things, getting into all sorts of trouble, etc., I cherish the time home from work when I can relax with my boy.  I especially like the way he sleeps in the bed with me for at least part of the night.

When I go to bed, I typically sleep on my left side or on my stomach.  Don't know why, but I've done this for years.  In addition, I usually have my legs drawn up slightly in what I would call a modified fetal position with at least one knee bent.  One night, much to my joy, I discovered Maverick had crawled on the bed and had fallen asleep right besides one of my legs, tucked in behind my bent knee.  Apparently, this was a warm spot for him to sleep, close to his adopted daddy.  You could say Maverick was sleeping in the cleft of the rock.

In Exodus 33, Moses was placed in the cleft of the rock while God's presence passed him by. Not only did Moses experience God's presence, the cleft of the rock signified, at least in my thinking,  security and protection.  While in the cleft of the rock, Moses was completely free of danger.  Perhaps for Maverick, sleeping behind my knee or in the "cleft of the rock" was also a peaceful, warm place of security and love brought about by his master.

Furthermore, years later, Fannie Crosby described vividly the joys of the cleft of the rock in her immortal hymn, "He Hideth My Soul".  These glorious lyrics proclaim:

"A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Savior to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see. 

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away,
He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.

With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
And filled with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God!
For such a Redeemer as mine.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.

When clothed with His brightness transported I rise
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,
I’ll shout with the millions on high.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand."

Little did I realize when Maverick snuggled up to me, he was demonstrating wonderful biblical truth.  In whatever situation in life, whether sickness, depression, despair, etc.  we all need to hide out in the cleft of the rock for warmth and security.