THE LORD IS MY (ADD IN YOUR CONCEPT) ROCK ROSS SMITH 09012015
Can you nominate the characteristics of the Lord that are meaningful to you, what is your response when I ask “The Lord is my………………”
Do we have any worries or concerns this morning? How important are they? Do they tend to crowd out our consciousness of the Lord at work? Do they keep us awake at night? Do they constitute “Worthless Thoughts”?
If we revert to Scripture, which is the safest and securest of method for overcoming these problems, we will begin to wonder why we ever let these “weeds” take up room in the fertile soil of our spirit.
We are familiar with Scriptures that say “Cast all your cares upon Him”, “Do not let yourselves become agitated et cetera”, “take no concern for tomorrow”, and no doubt you can add relevant scriptures. Can I suggest that maybe we lack one thing that will erase every trace of the insecurities that are the major constituent of worry.
We have discussed at length the concept of “God’s Inconceivable Greatness” but as yet it is still much a theory rather than an experience. We glimpse it sometimes, like early in the morning when the cacophony of birds in their chorus, even in their ignorance they exalt the Lord. And so I would like to explore a channel of expression proven by at least one of the patriarchs, by the name of David.
ANOTHER “FACTOR OF EIGHT
It is remarkable how often the characteristics that relate to the Lord appear in groups of eight, and as we recall, the numeral 8 in Scripture characterises “Spiritual Fatness”. (See the attachment to this study for a summary) So here we find another classic example of “Spiritual Fatness” for in this Psalm, the Psalmist describes how he is utterly unreachable by the enemy, he has taken refuge in the many citadels arranged by Father.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my ROCK, my FORTRESS, and my DELIVERER; my GOD, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take REFUGE, my SHIELD, and the Horn of my SALVATION, my HIGH TOWER. [Heb. 2:13.]
IN SUMMARY, THE LORD IS MY ….
- MY ROCK
- MY FORTRESS
- MY DELIVERER
- MY GOD
- MY STRONGHOLD/REFUGE
- MY SHIELD
- MY SALVATION
- MY HIGH TOWER
And this is where the dilemma starts, because the list of areas of “TRUST” are not only impressive, they are wide ranging, so why are we so slow to adopt this resource, and exhibit the fearlessness that is contained therein?
You will recall that David’s enemies were myriad, they were very well equipped with horses and chariots, a formidable host, but they were just an earthly power. The Israelites regarded Egypt like this.
Isaiah 31:1 WOE TO those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses and trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they look not to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek and consult the Lord!
What is it that constitutes our “Horses and Chariots” this morning, is it our job, family, money, reputation, position, fight or flight? What do we revert to when we fail to recognise the purpose of the circumstance we find ourselves in? we My need to personally identify our “Horses and Chariots”.
Isaiah 14:27 For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who can annul it? And His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?
Difficult as they may be in appearance, and incredible as their fulfillment may seem, yet His purposes are formed in full view of all the circumstances; and there is no power to resist His arm, or to turn Him aside from the execution of his designs. (See Acts 9:5 re “kicking against the pricks”)
Isaiah 30:2 Who set out to go down into Egypt, AND HAVE NOT ASKED ME–to flee to the stronghold of Pharaoh and to strengthen themselves in his strength and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
A shadow, as above, is a dark shape produced by a body coming between a source of light and a surface. What a poignant description of our failing to trust in “OUR ROCK”.
David is scathing in identifying the futility of using our own resources, but the Psalmist goes on to contrast the two different attitudes of people, and he has had some experience on this subject when he confronted Goliath.
Psalm 20:7 SOME trust in and boast of chariots and SOME of horses, (first category ) BUT WE WILL TRUST IN AND BOAST OF THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD. (second category)
But before David launches into his euphoric recognition of God’s attributes he makes one very succinct and important statement in verse 1, “I LOVE You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength.”
#1 MY ROCK How frequently the analogy of a ROCK is used in scripture, and does the Psalmist intend that we embrace all these examples, or should we restrict it to the simplistic singular description? Exploration of the metaphor opens up how significantly the term refers to our experience.
In Scripture, “Rock” is identified with shelter, refuge, strength, security, the foundation of an altar to God, the place of sacrifice to God, a stumbling block to the stubborn and disobedient, life-giving water (foreshadowing baptism?), the source of life and existence, salvation, the divine, Yahweh Himself, and Christ Himself. It is how we view “OUR ROCK” that determines our trust in God. Even sand is a mineral constituting rock, but how insecure is that, how big is my “ROCK”?
Rocks can be hard, soft, permeable or impervious, depending on what type of rock it is. Slate, marble, chalk and granite all have different uses and characters.
What is our concept of a rock, is it a thing you throw at a rabbit, is it a difficult place to dig in the garden, how is it different to a pebble, or then we have monoliths like “The Olgas” and “Eyre’s Rock”. But none of those truly can represent “MY ROCK”. Even the mighty Himalayas which are made of magmatic rock, the result of great disruption in the bowels of the earth, are not an adequate simile, and I have stood absolutely spellbound at the foot of this huge brooding monolithic evidence of the creative genius of our God. If that vista can inspire and promote awe, what can it be like when we truly observe the incalculable enormity of “OUR GOD”?
HIMALAYAS
ULURU
GIBRALTA
DEFINITION OF ROCK From H6696; properly a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally a rock or boulder; figuratively a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous): – edge, X (mighty) God (one), rock, X sharp, stone, X strength, X strong.
See also H1049 “BETHZUR” (“house of rock”.) One of Judaea’s strongest fortresses in the mountains of Judah, between Halhul and Gedor
There are 6 types of characteristics for rocks and minerals. They are :-
- Hardness (is a measure of the mineral’s resistance to being scratched,
- Lustre (some minerals are shiny and some are dull, lustre means metallic or non-metallic
- Colour (Colour is an important property of a mineral but colour doesn’t totally identify it.)
- Crystal Structure (Crystal structure is another way to figure out what type of rock or mineral it is. The mineral or rock must have straight edges, flat sides and regular angles)
- Streak (Streak refers to the colour pouder that the mineral leaves after it scratches it)
- Cleavage and fracture (Cleavage is a way the mineral breaks and fracture is a breakage that is rough and has jagged edges.)
Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros–a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra–A HUGE ROCK LIKE GIBRALTAR] (what a lovely recommendation for Peter) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it].
The change of name for Peter was very significant. Peter’s preeminent position among the apostles was symbolized at the very beginning of his relationship with Christ. At their first meeting, Christ told Simon that his name would thereafter be Peter, which translates as “Rock” (John 1:42). The startling thing was that, aside from the single time that Abraham is called a “rock” in Isaiah 51:1-2 in the Old Testament only God was called a rock. The word rock was not used as a proper name in the ancient world.
If you were to turn to a companion and say, “From now on your name is Asparagus,” people would wonder: Why Asparagus? What is the meaning of it? What does it signify? Indeed, why call Simon the fisherman “Rock”? Jesus was not given to meaningless gestures, and neither were the Jews as a whole when it came to names. Giving a new name meant that the status of the person was changed.
Take a closer look at this verse:-
Matthew. 16:18) “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church”. Since Simon’s new name of Peter itself means rock, the sentence could be rewritten as: “You are Rock and upon this rock I will build my Church.” The play on words seems obvious, it is suggested that the word rock could not refer to Peter as a man but must refer to his profession of faith or recognition of the Christ.
I see here that the verse recorded in ISAIAH is the basis for the Lords statement
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tested Stone, a precious CORNERSTONE of sure foundation; HE WHO BELIEVES (there is another word that I like to replace “believe” with, and that is “OBEY, FOR THAT IS THE EVIDENCE OF “BELIEF”) trusts in, relies on, and adheres to THAT STONE) will not be ashamed or give way or hasten away [in sudden panic].
Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold I am laying in Zion a Stone that will make men stumble, a Rock that will make them fall; but he who believes (can I suggest the word “obeys” is another word for “believes” .. comments mine) in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall not be put to shame nor be disappointed in his expectations.
I MUST ASK MYSELF, WHY DO I FAIL TO IMPLEMENT THIS TRUTH?
How many people have been faced with the reality of what Father requires and found the expectation too much for them? Some have had an inspiring and developing ministry, but have “stumbled” at the first hurdle of handing over the reins to Father, and failed to put the last part of Romans 9:33 into practice
The term “ROCK” as applied to the Messiah and referred to here in Romans, is derived from the custom of building, as He is the “cornerstone” or the “immovable foundation” on which the church is to be built. And although He was rejected, He has now become the “cornerstone” (Psalm 118:22) And the same thought as we saw in those who trust in horses and chariots is evident here again, are we clinging to Him as our Rock of Safety, or are we being repulsed from Him as from a rock of offence?
WE HAVE BEEN AFFORDED THE “LESSONS” BUT HAVE WE “LEARNED”?
“THEORETICAL THEOLOGY IS ONLY THEATRICS”.
1 Peter 2:4-6 Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, (or “stumbled” …. Comments mine) but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight [Come] and, like LIVING STONES, (This suggests to me that we are to be “CHRISTLIKE”, for He is the “Living Stone” are to be “Like Living Stones”) be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen (honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be disappointed or put to shame.
Have you ever looked at an opal, it seems to be alive with such colour and fire.
Notice that the reliance on “MY ROCK” contains three distinct promises, as found in: –
Isaiah 28:16 ) NO SHAME
Romans 9:33 ) NO PANIC
1 Peter 2:4 -6 ) NO DISAPPOINTMENT
Just as the Temple had many types of stones, rocks and boulders making up the foundation, flooring, walls, roof, and pillars, so will God’s spiritual Temple. The spiritual Temple of God is a work in progress. Undoubtedly, God is excited to see its different elements taking shape. He is building us, as living stones in a living Temple, “on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19-20)
Do we have to wait until all other avenues (or horses and chariots) are exhausted that we will turn to the Lord as our last resort? But even then He is our sure refuge even if He is our last refuge!
Mark 5:2627 And who had endured much suffering under [the hands of] many physicians and had spent all that she had, and was no better but instead grew worse. She had heard the reports concerning Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the throng and touched His garment, (her last resort!!!!)
Ross Smith 