The Lord As Our Rock

by Pastor Mark
May 11, 2023

Understanding God as our Rock

How can we cope with difficult circumstances, such as facing life’s challenges or problems that threaten to overwhelm us? We should not allow ourselves to be disheartened or frustrated. One way to cope is to look to the Lord as our Rock. One of the recurring symbols of God that Moses used in his beautifully written song is the symbol of the rock. How should we understand this symbol of God as our “Rock”?

1. God as a great Rock

“Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice,” (Deuteronomy 32:3,4)

  1. Moses ascribed greatness to God as no one is as great as He is.
  2. He is the great Rock, symbolising awesome strength and assured safety.
  3. He was the Rock of Moses and Israel in Egypt and throughout the wilderness journey.

2. The Rock of his salvation

“And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.” (Deuteronomy 32:15)

  1. The Lord was the Rock of Israel’s salvation…in His deliverance.
  2. He delivered Israel from the captivity of Egypt and the attacks of powerful nations.
  3. No one could deliver Israel as the Lord could.

Let us look to the Lord as the Rock of our deliverance too.

3. The Rock who begot you

“Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, and have forgotten the God who fathered you.” (Deuteronomy 32:18)

  1. God was their Rock…as the Creator of Israel.
  2. He was the God who fathered them.
  3. He is Father…Redeemer, Creator and the One who establishes (Deuteronomy 32:6).
  4. God is the strong and loving Father to those who are His children.
  5. He knows exactly what we need to face the challenges of life.

We have every reason to look to Him as our Rock and Father.

The problems of Israel

  1. Israel scornfully esteemed God and had taken Him for granted (Deuteronomy 32:15).
  2. Israel was unmindful of God and had forgotten Him (Deuteronomy 32:18).
  3. They turned to idols as their rock (Deuteronomy 32:37).

God dealing with Israel

  1. The Lord had to “sell” them and surrender them to another nation (Deuteronomy 32:30).
  2. This was part of their chastisement as the Lord judged them.
  3. They needed to understand that their rock (gods) was not like God the Rock (Deuteronomy 32:31).

The challenge to rely on God as our Rock

Let us thank God that we have Him as our solid Rock. We should always seek to ascribe greatness to God as our Rock for His perfect works and just ways. Let us give Him the highest regard and esteem and never take Him for granted. May we never allow ourselves to rely on anything else except the Lord! Let us be challenged to focus on God and trust Him to bless us with assured refuge and great empowerment in facing life’s challenges.

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