Focus 40 - Day 29

My Rock

Psalm 31:3

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

Throughout Scripture our Lord is frequently identified by the title “ROCK”. He is “the rock” upon which the church is built (Matt.16:18). He is our “rock” of refuge” Psa. 31:2. He is “rock” of my salvation (2 Sam. 22:47.

Each of these biblical revelations of our Lord features unique facets of our Rock. He shelters, He gives foundation, He provides defense against the enemy. He nourishes us and protects during times of trial and storm. He assures a secure footing as we step into each new day.  The essential focus of the title “Rock” is that there is an exalted, elevated, out-of-reach location available to the person who would take refuge in Christ’s name.

It is possible that as uncomfortable as it seems, storm clouds are arising, and we need to take refuge in Jesus’ name. The comforting fact is we not only dwell in the Rock, but that the Rock also dwells in us. The fortress is within us!

Psalm 31:2-3 describes the Lord not only as our “rock” and fortress, but as our “rock of refuge”. The Hebrew words used here are metsoodaw (fortress) and maoz (refuge). They combine to describe the following: A place of escape or defense conveying the idea of a city that, should the enemy seek to overthrow it, he himself will be overthrown. In a sense the word employed in this Psalm carries the idea of snare or trap.

Think of it! The traps satan places before us today will be turned by Christ into traps that will snare satan himself.

To pray today in Jesus’ name, our Rock, is to pray in the recognition that Christ is our refuge for every situation we might face. If we sense a storm is developing we can appropriate the power of Christ, our Rock, into that situation. Naturally the darker the storm cloud the greater the possible severity of the storm. And the greater the possible severity of the storm the farther into the Refuge you must go.

Beloved, when Jesus taught us to pray “deliver us from the evil one” Matt6:13. He was teaching us to assume a warfare stance in prayer – a stance that doesn’t mean so much a rushing headlong into battle as a prompt retreating into our “Strong Tower” Christ Himself.

Seasoned warriors of prayer learn to fight their battles from the throne room of God where they sit together with Christ in the heavenly places. Our prayer closets are the places where all spiritual battle really is won.

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

When darkness veils His lovely face

I rest on His unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand