RESTING IN THE ROCK

“From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; LEAD ME TO THE ROCK that is higher than I” – Psalm 61: 2

One of my strongest grounds of assurance as a Believer in Christ is that I am RESTING IN THE ROCK: “From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; LEAD ME TO THE ROCK that is higher than I” (Psa.61:2). King David knew where to go when he was in trouble. A close scrutiny of his Psalm 61 prayer reveals that he held nothing back. He was completely open and vulnerable before his God. Can you feel the strain as he wrote, “from the end of the earth I will cry to You,” inferring that God seemed very far away. But David refused to trust his own feelings and continued to cry out to God. He expressed his reliance on the God who is “the rock that is higher than I.”

The term ‘Rock’ is often used in Scripture to describe God and His reliability. Rocks depict the idea of refuge, a place to escape the tumultuous storms and vicissitudes of life. The Bible is explicit on the truth that God is our Rock: “No one is holy like the LORD, for there is none besides You; nor is there any ROCK LIKE OUR GOD” (1Sam.2:2). Moses chastised Israel: “Of the ROCK who begot you, you are unmindful, and have forgotten the God who fathered you” (Dt.32:18). Now, we know that Christ Jesus is our eternal Rock: “…for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST” (1Cor.10:4).

All through life, and particularly in seasons of storms, the likes of which the world is passing through, we need to know the Lord intimately as our Redeemer and our Rock. Life’s storms come in many forms: daily personal demands; financial inadequacies; stress in career or ministry; strained relationships, seasons of confusion or indecision, and health challenges. But amidst life’s brewing storms, there is no better place to find solace than in our redeeming Rock. Jesus assures us: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). His is not a trouble-free rest or passive peace, but the guarantee that no matter how overwhelmed our heart may be, He is our ROCK to REST ON and REST IN!

Are you presently passing through situations in which it seems as if your faith is fainting, this Word is for you: You can Rest in the Rock! He will be strong for you. He will prove solid under your wavering feet and secure over your shivering soul! He’ll show His Presence, strengthen your faith, and give you His Peace. As you prayerfully cast upon Him all your needs, anxieties, and fear, He’ll show Himself strong as your Redeemer and Rock, whatever life’s struggles may come.

Beloved, please join me in singing another Victory hymn: “In the rifted Rock I’m resting.” This is a proclamation that Jesus is our Redeemer and Rock – our Shelter and Rest from the storms of life.

“In the rifted rock I’m resting, safely sheltered I abide; there no foes nor storms molest me, while within the cleft I hide.

Refrain:  Now I’m resting, sweetly resting, in the cleft once made for me; Jesus, blessed Rock of Ages, I will hide myself in Thee.

Long pursued by sin and Satan, weary, sad, I longed for rest; then I found this heav’nly shelter opened in my Savior’s breast.

Peace which passeth understanding, Joy the world can never give, now in Jesus I am finding, in His smiles of love I live.

In the rifted rock I’ll hide me, till the storms of life are past; all secure in this blest refuge, heeding not the fiercest blast.”

The Lord my Redeemer and Rock is also “a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy” (v.3). I will abide in His tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of His wings and sing praise to His Name forever (v.4, 8).