Hidden In A Cleft

Colossians 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

The ruins of ancient cliff dwellers have been preserved at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.  As the photo above shows, villages were built in the clefts of cliffs.  These buildings provided the inhabitants protection from the elements, enemies, and wild animals.  The only way to reach these settlements was with tall ladders, which could be pulled up from the valley floor if necessary.  The inhabitants were basically hidden in plain sight from many kinds of harm.  They lived in the cleft of a rock. 

What peace and comfort it is for Christians to know that the same kind of cleft is available for their spiritual well-being in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  He is the rock of our salvation and in him we are not only saved from wrath, but we are also made pure and spotless by his blood sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.  There is simply no other way that sinful humans can be accepted by a Holy and just God since the labor of our hands cannot pay this infinite sin debt.  Thou must save and Thou alone is the message of the hymn below.  Thus, lost sinners flee to the cross for the grace and mercy that is provided by the Rock of Ages.  Christians are safe from all spiritual harm when they are hidden in the cleft of this rock.  What a joy it is to reflect on line two below where sinners come to Christ and ask to be hidden in his grace and mercy.  Praise God, for we know that his cleft is large enough for all who come in faith.

Rock of Ages
Words by: Augustus M. Toplady

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.