“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, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)
The Lord is your rock. When I think of a rock, I think of something sturdy, strong, and stable. Thus, you are on firm ground. This Rock makes you secure and stable.
Your Lord isn’t just a rock. He is a mighty fortress. You don’t merely have rock beneath your feet. You have rock all around you, impenetrable walls protecting you. You have been baptized into Christ. Since you are in Christ, the devil, the world, and death itself cannot harm you. They have to get through Jesus first. They tried to tear down Jesus, but this Fortress was raised up again.
Rocks and fortresses are inanimate objects. You must go to such objects. You must enter a fortress to benefit from its protection. You must build your house on the rock to benefit from its stability. But a deliverer or a rescuer is a person, a person who seeks you out. Your Lord didn’t wait for you to come to Him. He pursued you. He saw that you were in danger and He came to your aid. He entered this world as a man to save your life, even at the cost of His.
He comes to enlighten your mind, to absolve you of your sins, and to bestow on you everlasting life. Who is better than a stable rock, a secure fortress, or a mighty deliverer, Your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Prayer
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
(“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” LSB 575, st. 1)
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
