The Rock
I have not seen it in fifty years. But I know it’s still there. There is a rock about a mile upstream from where State Highway 17 crosses Broad River. It is in the middle of the river. At the river’s normal stage, it stands about two feet above the water. The visible part is only four or five feet in diameter. Yet, it has withstood great floods. It has also endured terrible droughts. The strong current of the mighty Broad River continues to roll, but it will never roll away this rock.
My daddy often took me fishing on Broad River when I was a young boy. We would travel up and down the river in a homemade wooden boat. It was powered by a five-horse Sears and Roebuck engine. Using trot lines, bank hooks, and fish baskets we caught our share of catfish. I have strong memories of the sound of water splashing against the boat. The bugs and frogs sang the river’s night songs. In my mind, I can still see the reflection of the full moon in the water. In the moonlight, I would watch the water part in deference to this immovable rock.
I am an old man now. It has been many years since I have been on the river and saw that rock. The old wooden boat is long gone and my daddy is in Heaven now. With the passing of time, my wife and I have built a home. We have watched our children grow and become adults. Our lives have been blessed more than we deserve, but it has not been without struggles. Often troubles would pound us like a flood and heartaches would test us like a drought. But we have placed our hope in the Firm Foundation that is Jesus Christ. Like the rock that remains in Broad River, we have stood strong.
The rock that stands in Broad River is symbolic of the Rock of Salvation. I know that one day that rock in Broad River will be destroyed. The Bible teaches that one day this world will be destroyed. For this reason, let your soul find rest in Jesus Christ. Only in Him will you find salvation. He is a fortress from which you will never be shaken. He is the only Rock that shall never be moved.
“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
I Peter 2:4-10 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.2.4-10.NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
Email- douglas@pavementendsministry.com
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 NKJV
