When I began first grade at Hamilton Elementary School, Erie seemed the safest place in the world. New homes were popping up all around our neighborhood, the world seemed bright and war was something we played with using plastic soldiers. But just eight years earlier, Ruth, a pastor’s wife, in our city, was shocked as she read the list of casualties from her morning paper. The war, though far away, had come home in the bodies of servicemen killed at the front and words stirred in her heart, “In times like these, we need a Savior!” Though Ruth hadn’t been formally trained as a musician and writing a song was not her goal, gradually both lyrics and then a melody came to her.

In times like these, we need a Savior
In times like these, we need an anchor
Be very sure – Be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the solid rock
That rock is Jesus – Yes, He’s the one
That Rock is Jesus – The only one
Be very sure – Be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the solid rock!

Ruth Caye Jones – 1943

Though our times and our problems are very different from the ones that Ruth faced in 1943, the answer has not changed. Jesus is still the only rock and anchor that will keep us safe through our storms. The challenge still remains, “Be very sure – Be very sure, your anchor holds and grips the solid rock! I do hope you will enjoy listening to this simple recording from yesterday at Life Care Center. Considering all the violence and turmoil of our society today, it was eerily appropriate for the fire alarm to go off mid-session! We are facing a spiritual crisis as a nation on this 250th birthday, and how we need our Savior Jesus Christ to come and be the anchor and solid rock today!