IN THE CLEFT OF THE ROCK

In the Cleft of the Rock - Pam Finlay

 Acrylic on Canvas 2014

 

On the 17 May 2014 The Lord said: I will put you in a cleft of the rock.

I was led to seek the scriptures that spoke of the cleft of the rock and found that it was mentioned in the scripture two times:  Exodus 33 verse 22 and Song of Solomon 2 verse 14.

Exodus 33 V 22reads:

“and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.”

God’s hand was covering Moses.  Moses was always longing for God to reveal more of himself to him.

Moses requests in verse 13, if you are pleased with me, teach me your ways, so that I may know you and continue to find favour with you. In verse 14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

The Lord is saying Rest and Trust, Hear and See.  He has placed you “near to where he is”.  We are to seek to know him more and let him teach us His ways.

In Song of Songs 2 verse 14

 "O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret place of the steep pathway, Let me see your form, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your form is lovely."

 

In the painting the dove represents the release of the flow of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit within us will bring us peace and joy and in Him we can seek refuge from storms and heat.   In the secret places of the stairs Christ is in the rock, in whom we can count ourselves safe and protected.  That secret place is in our hearts.  Seek Him in that secret place.   Come boldly to the throne of grace he is saying, ascend the stairs up to God, have access and commune with Him in the secret place.  Provision is in the Cleft of the Rock.  Everything we need is in Jesus.  His mercy, grace and love is extended to us. Grace is flowing like a river down the stairs.   We can experience and grow in the glory of Christ the Rock.  How awesome is our God.  He loves us unconditionally and through the shed blood of His son Jesus he gave us the freedom to experience his glory and provision. 

Stairs – a steep rock broken into stairs or terraces.  It is in these secret places that Jesus Christ separates us from the world to Himself.    We are undergoing a transformation process in the cleft of the rock in the wilderness   He is asking us to ascend those 7 steps to become one with Him, to transform into His image, raised up to live with Him forever.  Bride and Bridegroom conjoined in Holy matrimony, coming into that perfection, coming into the presence of the King at the seventh step. Going up those steps, advancing in grace and holiness, going from strength to strength, pressing forward towards perfection, stepping upwards towards the prize, Christ Jesus.  As you reach the top of the stairs you will come into full bloom.  A flourishing garden in Him, fully abiding in that secret place of Him, becoming one, coming home. 

Blessings
Pam.