A Note from the Pastor…
When I was a child, I attended the Noels Chapel First Church of God on Chicken Gizzard Ridge. It was largely a family church, and we rarely ever had attendance of more than 40 or 50 (at least as I remember it). Our song leader was my grandmother’s sister, and she was a wonderful saint of God. However, she often chose a song out of our hymnal that I just hated! It was slow. Really slow. I hated to hear her call the number to that song. And of course, we had to sing all four verses! Page 354, He Hideth My Soul.
Yet, as I got older, and experienced more of “life” – I have grown to truly love the message, the comfort, the promises, and the hope embodied in this song. Psalm 9:10 reminds us, “And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you,” (ESV). The song leader from the little country church I grew up in was right – we needed that reminder that Jesus is a wonderful Savior, and it is Him who gives us strength, who holds us up, who protects, and He is the one who covers us with His love as we face this world. Our circumstances may become difficult in this world, but we do not have to face it alone! I thank God for faithful servants like Nellie and for all of the faithful servants that make up such a “great cloud of witnesses” throughout this broken world.
Verse 2 of this hymn He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He taketh my burden away; He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved, And covers me there with His hand,
He giveth me strength as my day. And covers me there with His hand.
Pastor Chris
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