The True Rock

How would you describe someone who is strong and powerful? Someone who is immovable? Where would people go to be protected by enemies or disaster? Castles are often built on a rock. David went into the rocks to hide from Saul. He also used a rock to kill a giant. But the true rock is God. He was the one that was with David when he faced Goliath. He was the one that was with him when he was being pursued by King Saul. With God we do not need to fear. We can rely on His strength and power. We know He never changes. His words are true. He keeps His promises. He will lead us and protect us from the evil one. He will strengthen us through our struggles. He is the firm foundation to build our life on.

Deuteronomy 32:3-4

For I proclaim the name of the LORD [Yahweh]: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock [Sur], His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.

2 Samuel 22:31-33

As for God [El], His way is perfect; the word of the LORD [Yahweh]is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. “For who is God[El], except the LORD [Yahweh]? And who is a rock [sur], except our God[Elohim]? God [El]is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect.

Similar to my previous post that God is our strength and shield? He is our Rock. He is our protector. He is our firm foundation. As Jesus spoke in the Sermon on the Mount, if we follow Him, it is like building our house on the rock. In other words, let Christ be our foundation for He is our Rock. With Him we cannot be moved. Our strength is in the Lord.

Matthew 7:24-27

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock [Petra]: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock [Petra]. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Is our foundation, our faith standing on the Rock, on Christ? Or do we choose to do things on our own, live according to our desires and not rely upon the Lord? Jesus says those who do are foolish, like building a house on sand, on a weak foundation that will not last. But we the church build upon the Rock, upon Christ, who is the head of the church. It is essential to be centered on The Word of God, founded on Christ Himself.

Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter [Petros], and on this rock [Petra]I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

When Simon declared that Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus gave him the name Peter [Petros]. When He said He would build His church, it would be built on this Rock [Petra], meaning Himself. The words used here is Petros, meaning a stone or boulder removed from a larger solid rock, Petros. Peter would eventually lead His church, but the church is founded on Christ Himself. Everything in the church points to Christ, Our Rock.

Ephesians 2:19-22

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Jesus Christ, our Rock, our Chief Cornerstone, in whom we have been Redeemed, in whom the church, God’s people, His followers are built on. He is the foundation of our faith. He is our creator; He is our salvation; He is our King. There is no other God.

Isaiah 44:6-8

“Thus says the LORD [Yahweh], the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts [Yahweh Sabaoth]: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God [Elohim]. And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, let them show these to them. Do not fear, nor be afraid; have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God [Elohim]besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock [Sur]; I know not one.’ “

Knowing how great a God we serve, how strong and powerful, the One who saves us, let us put our trust in Him and sing praises to His name. Thank you, Jesus, for saving us, for dying on that cross, for taking our sins upon Yourself who knew no sin, to be sin for us. Thank you, Father, for loving us so much that while we were sinners, You sent your One and Only Son to pay the penalty for our sins. You created us in your own image. When we trust in You, we cannot be moved.

Psalms 95:1-6

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD [Yahweh]! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock [Sur] of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD [Yahweh]is the great God, [Elohim] and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD [Yahweh]our Maker.