October 29, 2023
BUILT UPON A ROCK
MACK WILBERG
Conductor
JOSEPH PEEPLES
Organist
LLOYD D. NEWELL
The Spoken Word
SAINTS BOUND FOR HEAVEN1
Music and Lyrics: American Folk Hymn
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg
FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH2
Music: John Rutter
Lyrics: Folliott S. Pierpoint
PRELUDE IN G MAJOR
(ORGAN SOLO)
Music: Johann Sebastian Bach
LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM3
from Messiah
Music: George Frideric Handel
I SING THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD2
Music: English Melody
Lyrics: Isaac Watts
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg
HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
Music: Charles H. Gabriel
Lyrics: Civilla D. Martin
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg
THE SPOKEN WORD
“Built Upon a Rock”
HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION4
Music: attr. J. Ellis
Lyrics: attr. Robert Keen
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg
Music References
1. From the album Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing. 2. From the album Consider the Lilies.
3. From the album Messiah.
4. From the albums Then Sings My Soul; Called to Serve; and America the Beautiful.
BUILT UPON A ROCK
The Spoken Word, October 29, 2023
(Recorded in Scotland, June 11, 2022)
By: Lloyd D. Newell
Edinburgh has been the capital city of Scotland since the fifteenth century. It is known for its rich history and culture. But most people know it best for Edinburgh Castle, the city’s focal point and a beloved symbol of beautiful Scotland.
Those who built the castle centuries ago couldn’t have picked a better spot for this formidable fortress. It rises majestically from a mass of volcanic rock, known as Castle Rock. With sheer cliffs to the north and south and a steep ascent from the west, Castle Rock is forbidding to invaders, besides providing a rock-solid foundation. Over time, Edinburgh Castle has served as a royal residence, military fortress, memorial, and museum. It continues to be a cherished part of Scotland’s national heritage.
Scotland has seen many changes over the centuries—seasons of conflict and storms, seasons of peace and prosperity. But since at least the twelfth century, Scotland has never seen a time when a castle has not stood upon this rock in Edinburgh. The castle has been steadfast and immovable because Castle Rock is also steadfast and immovable.
Long before Edinburgh Castle was built, in another land and time, Jesus taught His followers about firm foundations. He shared eternal truth and then explained:
“Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
“And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it” (
In our modern, sophisticated world, sand is easy to come by. The temporary, the hollow, the superficial is readily available. But if we want to build a life of meaning, if we want eternal peace and joy, we seek an eternal foundation. We strive to learn truth, live it, and steady ourselves on “the rock of our Redeemer” (
Long ago, Edinburgh Castle was built upon a rock, and it’s still standing. Then as now, the wise build their houses upon rock.