Why “Cleft Dweller”?

Why “Cleft Dweller”? As I mentioned in my initial post, the name popped into my head rather unexpectedly, so I believe it was straight from the Holy Spirit. It makes me chuckle a little because it sounds a bit like “cave dweller”, which I of course am not. Caves are cool, though, so if you’ve never been in one you should try it. If you look up the word “cleft”, it is defined as an opening, break or split. It is sort of like a cave, I guess. In Exodus 33 of the Old Testament, Moses is pleading with God to allow him to see His glory. God tells him no one can see His face and live. I assume this is because of the unfathomable brightness, beauty and power of our almighty God. But God cared for Moses. He told him to stand on a nearby rock and when He passed by, He would place Moses in the cleft of the rock and cover him with His hand until He had passed by. Then He’d take His hand away and Moses could see His back, but not His face. This is crazy! Can you just imagine the huge hand of God covering Moses, protecting Him and caring for him, as He grants Moses’ request to the extent He knew was best.

I want to dwell in that cleft. I want God’s hand to cover me, protect me and care for me. I want Him to withhold from me the things that I desire that are not in my best interest. I know He loves me and I desire to be content in His presence and live my life knowing that He is my source of peace, hope and strength.

The words of an old hymn entitled “He Hideth My Soul” flood my mind. The words are so good that I will put them here in their entirety. Excuse the old English. I know you can handle it! 🙂

A wonderful saviour is Jesus my Lord
A wonderful Saviour to me
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord
He taketh my burden away
He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved
He giveth me strength as my day.

When clothed in His brightness
Transported I rise
To meet Him in Clouds of the sky
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love
I’ll shout with the millions on high.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land
He hideth my life in the depths of his love
And covers me there with his hand
And covers me there with his hand.

And that, friends, is why I am calling my blog “Cleft Dweller”.