God as our Rock and Stronghold

What kind of week have you had?

I ask, because the headlines are pretty gloomy, filled with bad news, scandal, horrific tragedy, and more bad news.

I ask because we just lost the third young person from our church body within the last few months.

I ask because there are times when we need to be reminded of who God is when it feels like there is nothing left to rely on or trust in.

I ask because regardless of what comes our way in a week, God remains unchanging.

Unlike the world in which we live or anything it has to offer, He is as dependable as an immovable mountain. In fact, He calls Himself, “a Rock like no other” meaning – regardless of what else you try to stand upon, they have nothing on Him – He, alone possesses eternal strength. He is our rock and stronghold.

God as our Rock and Stronghold

He says as much to Isaiah.

Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.” Isaiah 44:8

And then in 1 Samuel, after Hannah has waited and prayed. Then lived to see and know of God’s abilities to be who He says he is and do what He says he can do, she testifies of this quality.

Hannah Testifies God is a Rock.

There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.1 Sam 2:2

In other words, whatever you are trying, trusting in, or relying upon—cannot stand against the One who is our place of refuge, our salvation, our strength, safety, and protection from men. There is no one else or no other source who can do what He can do. Not one.

Because of the kind of week we sometimes experience, we need to remember this unchanging characteristic of our God. I find it more than timely and appropriate to pray a verse out of Psalm 71 today that is along this theme.

Be to me a rock of refuge in which to dwell, and a sheltering stronghold to which I may continually resort, which you have appointed to save me, for you are my Rock and my Fortress. Psalm 71:3

Our “Rock of Refuge”

I don’t know if you need a “rock of refuge” right now, but I thought today would be a good day to remind us that He is exactly that. The reality is that life can get so crazy and cloudy that even something so basic as this fundamental Truth that most of us know can seem far off. Even the Psalmist feels the need to ask for Him to be His “rock of refuge.”

What about a “Sheltering Stronghold?”

Last year, a good percentage of glass fell out of one of our doors. Nothing happened to make it fall out, it simply gave way.  The door could no longer serve as a stronghold for keeping out what needs to be out and protecting what is inside. The door became weak and compromised. Easy to penetrate. It more than illuminated our need to ask God to be a “sheltering stronghold” to whom you and I can go.

Then the Psalmist pronounces something extremely important that is likely taken on a whole new dimension in recent days and hours.

For You are my Rock and my Fortress.

He recognizes his reliance cannot be on his defense system, his bank account, the business he has owned and ran for 15 – 20 years that has been so successful, or the established chain that has experienced rampant success. His ability to feed his family may vanish, and one day can turn life completely on its head. There is one thing he really knows:

You are my Rock and my Fortress.

This is what you and I need to really know today as well. Because of these realities of Who God is, we can place our confidence in Him.

A Prayer for Making the Lord our Rock and Stronghold

Lord,

I am so thankful for your Word today.

For the assurances of Who you are and what you promise us – even when we cannot see how it’s all going to turn out.

Right now we are lifting up your Word back to you. We ask you to be who you say you are. Would you be the “Rock,” where there is no other? Be our “rock of refuge” when we are scared, or when we don’t know what is going to happen.

We ask that you be our “sheltering stronghold.” Become for us a force that is impenetrable to whatever is coming against us for Your glory. Not that we ask to escape suffering to further your Kingdom, but that You be our stronghold in the midst of whatever You call us to. Help us to know you as our Rock and our Fortress and let nothing else compare or compete. You alone, the Rock. Our Rescuer. We ask that you be this in our lives today, for we desperately need you and for Your name to be known.

In the glorious and unmatched name of Jesus.

Amen

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