MY ROCK
Today’s Reading: Psalm 18
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Monasteries are built high above on great rocks in this rugged landscape in Greece. The monasteries that you see are the Great Meteoro and Varlaam.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalm 18:1-2
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
The conclusion David draws from the above statement is this, “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (18:3). David composed and sang this song to celebrate the Lord’s deliverance from the hand of King Saul. Saul was trying to kill him. Again and again David hid amongst the great rocks in the area of En Gedi, east of the Dead Sea. It is plain to see as we learn about David, as well as from David, that his rock-solid confidence was not in the rocks, but in the “Rock,” his God! David exclaims in song, “Who is a rock, except our God?” (18:31b). “The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock!” (18:46a).
The confidence that those of us have who believe in Jesus is expressed in song too. Let’s find online that amazing hymn, “Rock of Ages,” and sing along (click here).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You gave me instructions about the foundation for my life. I know that I must build my life on the Rock! You are that Bedrock, dear Jesus. I rest securely on You, not on the shifting sands of contemporary human experience and the philosophies of mankind. I pray that I will stand firm on You, Lord God! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I may have referred to this sometime last year, but here goes… I was listening to a French language radio station as the late Pope, John Paul II, was speaking in Quebec City. Here are the words I heard, “Pierre (Peter) est un petit pierre (is a little stone), mais Jesus est Le Grande Pierre! (but Jesus is The Great Rock!).” He was referring to the words of Jesus following the answer of Peter to the question of Jesus, “Whom do men say that I am?” Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” Then Jesus said to Peter, “You are Peter (a little rock) and upon this Rock (a great Rock, Jesus Himself), I will build My Church.” In my early days as a follower of Jesus, I struggled with my understanding of these words of Jesus found in Matthew 16:18. My concerns about the Church being built on Peter were highlighted by the words of Jesus just five verses later (Matthew 16:23): “But He, (Jesus) turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.'” Yes, Peter was mightily used of God. I want to be used of God too, but I’m ever so thankful that no church is built on me, a weak and flawed human being. There is only one GREAT ROCK!!! Jesus Himself!!! I’ve just read again Matthew 16:13-26. Like those very small-appearing monasteries built on that great rock in Reynold’s photograph above, I’m building my life and my hope for eternal life on Jesus alone!!!
Yours for the only true eternal Foundation for life, “The Christ, the Son of the Living God,”
David
Just to say like Peter,”…Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” gives one strength. Love Psalm 18.
Amen, David! Standing on the rock of Jesus!!! Reynold’s photo is so stunning and fits so well with today’s Psalm! Oh, such sweet words to our God–our fortress and deliverer; our strength, in whom we trust. You are our shield and horn of our salvation, our everlasting stronghold against sin temptation and destruction! We stand fortified and are avenged by You–our great Redeemer. And we shall be saved from our enemies by Your shield of protection and almighty grace! We call upon You, Lord, for You are worthy to be praised. You are the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. We are everything with You and nothing without You. To You, we lift our hands high in praise! We exalt You, Lord! To You, we sing and glorify Your Name!!! Blessings fellow saints, on this precious day of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
Awesome God by Sinach
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB79itkAXks
Lovely song, thanks for sharing, lifted my spirits!
Rock of Ages lyrics
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Thank you Pastor David, it is wonderful to read this Psalm and meditate on it. Beverlee you words also inspire me. Bless all today.
Amen Beverlee and thank you Reynold for that stunning picture! Happy Bithday to you!(sorry I was out of cell range) I was basking in the breath-taking rocks of interior B.C. With reading psalms and praying and singing continuously, I had a truly blessed weekend. I was thinking of, and praying for you David and all at your retreat and all my blog buddies!! Would be awesome to see video clips or pictures of your weekend for those of us who couldn’t be there
Our enemies are advancing and we must be sober and armoured and READY!!! Glorious day to all in our ROCK JESUS!!!
I agree with your comments on Monday Sah. God Bless our desires and efforts to witness for Him and our mistakes as well!!
What a powerful psalm!!! yes, “the only true eternal foundation for life. “The Christ, the Son of the Living God. Amen!!! and Amen!!!
He IS my Rock, and my Fortress and my Deliverer, my Strength, in Him I will rust, my Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold. My everlasting Father and my God. In Him I live and move and have my being. Praise His Holy Name!!!!
Great picture Reynold!!!!
Amen and amen!
I believe Lianne Hogg’s Mom is having open heart surgery on Friday, keep the family in all our prayers;
My friend Tanya who had brain cancer went to be with the Lord; her children mentioned 3 months ago that all the papers were signed for their adoption when “mom dies” Mom was a beliver, beautiful smile, sense of humour, I know she is very happy right now.
Thankful to be back to the pool for water exercises! We have a lot of fun! I thank the Lord several times during the day that HE TOOK MY BROKEN LEG AND TURNED IT INTO ME LEARNING TO SWIM 20 YEARS AGO!
The Lord removed smokes/alcohol from me also 20 years ago! I don’t buy lottery tickets but I pray the Lord would supernaturally increase my bank account! All things are possible with God for those who believe!
I pray blessings on all those who blog! I am so thankful for David Mainse and his words of wisdom and encouragement and the pictures! WOW! They are magnificient! What a gifted photographer!
REPENTANCE IS THE FIRST STEP TO ENLIGHTENMENT!
Amen, Sah, amen! Overcoming adversity, God turns our troubles into blessings!
Amen!
Just love singing along with the choir ,love those old hymns!
God bless David Mainse with vibrant good health and abundant energy and endurance!! We need to go through the Bible again. And again. And again…!! Thank you David you’re my hero!!!