Build Like a Bird

I was visiting my friend’s house the other day, and she showed me a nest that a pair of barn swallows had built on her porch. They had tried to build a nest before, so my friend had placed a large rock in the upper corner of the ledge inside her porch. Despite the large obstruction, the pair of swallows were not discouraged. They built a beautiful mud nest resting secure on top of the rock. Despite inclement weather, curious neighborhood cats, or even human looky-loos, the swallows have no fear as their nest is built on a solid foundation.

As I gazed upward at this amazing aviary structure, I reflected upon my own life and the reason that I have no fear living in a world that is full of chaos, uncertainty, and evil. Like the swallows’ nest, my life is also secure on a firm foundation. I stand upon the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ!

Jesus is the rock of my salvation. When He went to the cross, He took upon Himself the sins of the entire world. Enduring the agony of the cross, Jesus willingly died for humanity, fulfilling God’s plan for redemption of His creation. When Jesus rose from the grave 3 days later, He proved He was the Saviour of the world, and in that, He secured an eternal salvation for all those who choose to put their faith and trust in Him for the forgiveness of their sins. Once a person has accepted Christ as their Saviour, they receive God’s gift of everlasting life with Him in heaven.

John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Additionally, Romans 6:23 reminds us, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

As the “rock” of my salvation as it states in 2 Samuel 22:47, “The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation,” my standing with God is secure because its foundation is Jesus Christ, the risen Lord and Saviour of the world! It is not something that I can have one day and lose the next. The Bible records Jesus’ words in John 10:28-29 when He speaks of those who believe in Him, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

Just as the barn swallows sing their joyous songs, I also lift my voice in song to the rock of my salvation! “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” (Psalm 95:1). It is truly a comfort in a tumultuous world to know that my God is unshakeable and His Word is true. I can stand firmly upon the Bible knowing that every word in its pages confirm that I will not be removed from the love, care, and protection of my Redeemer. “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved” (Psalm 62:6). Hallelujah!!

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.

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.

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

(from “The Solid Rock” by Edward Mote)

“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 10:4

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Are you standing on the Rock?