Rifted Rock: God is Our Refuge

Hanging on by a thread?

When my great-grandmother fed her remaining children gruel from boiled potato skins, she might have given up. When my great-grandfather buried his son after a preventable accident, he might have given up. When my grandfather watched the dust blow during the thirties, he could have moved to another place to farm. When my grandmother buried her baby girl and nursed her newborn twins, she could have given in to the sadness. But they stood firm. How?

God is my Refuge

"O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer!

From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed.

Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.

Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!" (Psalm 61:1-4 NLT)

God is my Rock

These four understood God as a refuge through the reading of the Psalms and how God met His people, Israel, in the midst of chaos. They leaned on the concept that God is a 'towering rock of safety'. They understood about being hidden in the cleft.

The hymn, 'Sweetly Resting' by Mary James in the 1870's became popular in the Wesleyan and Baptist circles. I'm not sure when the German lyrics were translated but you can find this song used in the documentary 'And When They Shall Ask' as well as the Mennonite concerto that scored the documentary. This documentary echos the story of my great-grandparents and grandparents as they made their way to Canada after suffering through many atrocities during World War I, the Bolshevik Revolution and the famine of the 1920s. It is said this hymn was sung while on the train out of Soviet Russia.

Rifted Rock Lyric Video

Fun Facts:

The Mennonite Piano Concerto is "heard world-wide on radio, it is the most requested work on CBC Radio 2 in Canada and is heard on BBC, American and National Public Radio in the US. In 1996 it was #8 in sales on Classic FM, the most listened to classical broadcaster in the UK. In 2007 it was voted #50 in Australian Broadcasting poll of listeners for 100 Top Concertos.

The two piano version premiere: Irmgard Baerg and Jenny Regehr, 1986, Is often performed in this two piano version in church and community settings. Adapted as the score for the film And When They Shall Ask"

To read more:

https://victordavies.com/index.php/works/mennonite-piano-concerto/

Sweetly Resting

In the rifted rock I’m resting,Safely sheltered I abide;

There no foes nor storms assail me,While within the cleft I hide.

Refrain: Now I’m resting, sweetly resting

,In the cleft once made for me; Jesus, blessed Rock of Ages,

 I will hide myself in Thee.

 Long pursued by sin and Satan, weary, sad, I longed for rest. 

Then I found this heav’nly shelter, opened in my Savior’s breast

When I’m lonely and defenselessMy heart longs for rest and peace.Then You spread your wings of caringWith Your love you cover me.

Peace which passeth understanding, Joy the world can never give, Now in Jesus I am finding, In His smiles of love I live.

Refrain: Now I’m resting, sweetly resting, In the cleft once made for me; Jesus, blessed Rock of Ages, I will hide myself in Thee.

In the rifted rock I’ll hide me, Till the storms of life are past; 

All secure in this blest refuge, Heeding not the fiercest blast.

Copyright Public Domain Verse 2 Larry Nickel Arranged by Sonya Braun 2025