Yahweh Tsuri: The Lord My Rock
I get daily devotions in my email. These devotions always seem to have a purpose and a place and therefore I am registered with more than one!! I actually have three that I am currently working through. The first is a devotion I read everyday as it comes in! Some days it gives me exactly what I need and on others it gives me food for thought. The second devotion is a weekly couple’s devotion. I print and file these. Although I read through them, I pray that one day my husband and I will do them together. The final devotion is a study. It is about the many names of God. Last weeks name was particularly ground breaking for me and I thought it would make a wonderful topic for this weeks worship!!
Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer… Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten stringed lyre I will make music to you, to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers His servant David from the sword. Psalm 144:1-2, 7-10
What does it mean for God to be our rock? It means firstly that He is the foundation that we stand on! We must build our lives on a strong, firm, and sturdy foundation. Rocks of many forms (bricks, stones, ect) are used to provide shelter and safety. Stones were piled to commemerate events in Israels history and the ten commandments were also written on stone. We grind rocks to create the foundation in which we build our houses today on. In essence a foundation is one GIANT stone plate. Is it not appropriate then that we should consider God a Rock in that we make Him our Foundation!
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6
It is vital to our relationship with God that He is the ground in which our lives are built upon. A weak foundation will surely crumble.
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness.’ 2 Timothy 2:19
No matter what happens in life, no matter how bad it seems, as a child of God our foundation of hope is in God and that can NEVER be ruined.
Secondly, God is unbreakable. He will not crumble. The rock of His promises stands firm. We can depend on what God says to be true! It will happen. He is our strength, our refuge, our tower!
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and he horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:2-4
So, what exactly is all of this about??
More than six years ago, God started pressing in my heart a certainty I couldn’t deny. This was a very low, LOW, point in my life in which I will share another time. I wasn’t aware it was God at the time, but He placed a passion in my life for South Africa and I willingly investigated this passion. As the years passed I was given the means and people necessary to straighten up and got right with God. I turned my life around in ways I never knew possible and learnt the strength God instills in His children! He brought me up from the bottom of myself and gave me a new foundation. Someday I will share with all of you the details but today is not focused on the past but the future!
Four years ago I learnt why God had placed a passion for South Africa in me. I’d been planning a missionary journey to South Africa when a friend convinced me to go out one night with her. During that evening I met Hubby Dearest! God let me know immediately that I had misunderstood Him and that I was looking into the eyes of my future husband. It was quite a shock! I’d just turned 19!! Yet, I trusted God. I trusted His voice and His leading in my life. Over the next 7 months I tossed and turned the idea. I went full steam ahead and then pulled away. I couldn’t make my mind follow what I knew God wanted. It just seemed to irrational! Marrying a guy I barely knew!
Please read all about how Brendon and I met at The Boys! It is a fairytale. Finally, though, I gave into God. I allowed the Holy Spirit to lead me. I listened to what I was being encouraged. God promised that He wanted the best for my life. He wanted to pour out blessings and love over me. He purposed me to be more and do more. I would reach people. I would be a light for Him. I would please Him. I would do it in
So, I did. I packed my bags and followed God into the arms of my husband. I am so thankful everyday that I listened to God. It isn’t always easy. We still disagree and have our lows like any marriage. BUT….God is my ROCK. I have the rock of His promises. I have the foundation that He will not stray from me. He always has His hands on my life. The Lord is my Rock means that I can not fall on weak grounds. My feet are planted firm in the promises He made to me. When my marriage seems destitute and weak, I have the Rock of His Word. When my marriage seems like it can’t get any worse, I have the Rock of His Love. When my marriage seems like it is falling apart, I have the Rock of His Mercy. And when my marriage seems like Hell, I have the Rock of His Glory!! My marriage was a gift from God for obeying! My children are blessing from God for doing His works! He is a Rock and I stand firm with Him!
You will keep in perfect peace Him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever for the Lord, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4
Pray with me: Take some time now and thank God for His unfailing love and faithfullness. Praise Him for being your Rock and Foundation. Thank the LORD for all the times He has provided you with a steady path to walk on and for all the times He will continue to provide. Praise Him for the promises we can rely on from Him! Admit that you are weak without Him. Sometimes we only see the world and how it is coming down on us just as Peter only saw the waves crashing around and began to sink. We fail to place our feet on the solid ground and we suffer as we watch our houses crumble on unstable foundations. Ask God for guidance in building a life centered on Him being your Rock! Ask for help in creating a solid foundation in your homes, work, and relationships. Praise Him! Worship Him!
Shana
No comments:
Post a Comment