God My Rock
by Christel Baxter
For as long as I can remember, knowing that God is my ROCK has been very significant in my life. There is something about this truth that has kept my heart steadfast and secure. A rock is solid, strong, immovable, and safe – just like my God!
There are many places in Scripture where God is likened to a rock. In Genesis 49:24 God is called ‘the Rock of Israel’. In Deuteronomy 32 God is referred to as ‘the Rock of His people’ five times in the one chapter. God says of Himself in Isaiah 44:8, ‘Is there any God besides Me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one’. The Psalms are also full of this image of God as the Rock, the safe place.
Jesus said that those who hear His words and put them into practice are like a wise man who built his house upon the rock. ‘The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock’. Those who hear His words, but choose not to obey them are like a man who built his house on sand. ‘The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash’ (Matthew 7:24-27). The foundation we build our lives upon will determine the strength of its structure.
There is, however, another side to this rock-like character of God. 1 Peter 2:7-9 says, ‘Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’’, and, ‘A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall’. They stumble because they disobey the message’. When our lives are out of God’s divine order, and when we choose to walk in disobedience to Him, this Rock of ours will become a place of discomfort. ‘Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed’ (Luke 20:18). The wonderful thing is that, even when we’ve been like that foolish man who’s been building on sand, or like the one who stumbled over the Rock and was broken in pieces by the consequences of sinful behaviour, there is hope, because God is merciful and compassionate towards us!
Recently I had the opportunity to be creative with ‘broken bits’. I learned to do mosaic. It was great fun, but rather stressful at times, trying to find just the right little broken piece of tile or mirror to fit in a particular space. It took time and planning, but I was so surprised at the end result - it was quite beautiful! God is a master at taking our broken pieces, and doing the most amazing mosaic artwork – piecing together our brokenness to resemble a masterpiece that brings glory to Him.
Run back to the Rock! Let Psalm 40:1-2 be your prayer: ‘I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand’.
Prayer: Lord, You truly are my Rock in every circumstance of life. Thank You for Your faithfulness and kindness towards me. Help me to stay grounded and founded on You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Christel Baxter joined the Associate prayer ministry team at Shere House, S.Africa in 2008 after attending the 20 day school. Besides serving together on the associate team at Shere House, Christel & her husband, Gary, pastor New Life Ministries, a congregation in Boksburg, Gauteng. Their children, Liezl and Wesley, are both married, and they adore their son-in-law and daughter-in-law and their little granddaughter, Hannah! Christel is passionate about seeing broken lives restored and especially loves ministering God`s love and healing to women of all ages.
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