Our Unshakable Refuge
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles, uncategorized
In the Old Testament, God’s people learned from their forty years of wilderness wonderings, that rocks were more than simply masses of stone. For example, they understood that a rock could serve as a shelter from a sudden storm or provide a cool shadow from an oppressive heat. They learned that a rock could also be a stronghold and a place of safety from enemies (Psalm 61:2-3; Psalm 62:1-2; Isaiah 32:2).
This is why it meant so much when David called the Lord “my rock and my salvation” and “my strength, and my refuge” (Psalm 62:6-7). David knew firsthand how important a rock could be in times of trouble.
Just as the Hebrews found the rock of their salvation in the Lord who brought them up out of Egypt, so we find our Rock of salvation in the One who through His Son delivered us from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:17-18).
When storms of trial and tribulation threaten to overwhelm us, we can cling to Him in faith, thankful that our Rock is our unshakable refuge.
The above thoughts remind me of the following hymn by William G. Fischer:
“O sometimes the shadows are deep,
And rough seems the path to the goal;
And sorrows, how often they sweep
Like tempests down over the soul.
O sometimes how long seems the day,
And sometimes how weary my feet;
But toiling in life’s dusty way,
The Rock’s blessed shadow, how sweet!
O near to the Rock let me keep,
Or blessings or sorrows prevail,
Or climbing the mountain way steep,
Or walking the shadowy vale.
O then to the rock let me fly,
To the Rock that is higher than I;
O then to the Rock let me fly,
To the Rock that is higher than I.