The Solid Rock
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—
from violent people you save me.” 2 Samuel 22:2-3
As a child, I used to love going to the playground. Of course, back then, everything was made of metal, wood, and fiberglass. I would spin on the merry-go-round for a while, or at least until it made me dizzy. I remember my favorite slide. It looked like a rocket ship that you had to climb up through the center of then shoot out the side and down the long undulating slide. I remember my friends and I would swing as high as we could and see who could jump out, launching themselves as far as they could up and out onto the grass below. I also remember the teeter-totter. Every one I ever played on was made of a large piece of wood, shaped just enough to sit on each end, and sometimes it had handles to hold on for dear life. You and a friend could just casually balance back and forth, taking turns pushing up into the sky. As boys, however, we would often try to rock so hard that the other would lose his balance and jump or fall off. This action, of course, never ended well for either participant. I remember thinking how great it was to get up so high and then doing my part to go low so my friend could have the same experience. We learned over time that it was important to ride with someone who was a similar size so that you could balance one another.
See, the key to the teeter-totter is the fulcrum in the middle. This pivot point does not move. The fact that it stays stationary allows the users to alternate going up and down. Sometimes you soar high in the sky, enjoying the view around you, and at other times, you are on the bottom, not enjoying the ride as much. Life is just the same. There are ups and downs, joy and sadness, excitement, and boredom.
In all of life, however, there is one thing that remains the same through the highs and the lows: the love of Jesus is our fulcrum, our balance. Whatever is happening in your life, there is a loving God who wants you to know that He is your rock.
It is interesting to note that as you get closer to the fulcrum, the highs become a little less high, and the lows a little less low. When we live our lives with Jesus as our center point, we balance, experiencing the realization that God knows us, loves us, and has a plan for us.
Are you able to claim the truths of this passage, that God is your rock, fortress, and deliverer? Is this a true statement about your life? Remember, regardless of the circumstances in your life, God does not change. He is our shield, our refuge, and our salvation. We are the ones who need to surrender our lives daily to him and rest in the protection of his solid rock.
Take a few minutes to evaluate your life and determine how close you are living to Christ. Is Jesus truly your salvation? Do you rely on God during the uncertainties of your life?
Spend some time in prayer, asking God to be your rock and stronghold today.
God bless,
Brian Freerksen
Student Pastor