I was recently referred to as a “rock.”  It was meant as a compliment but it really made me think.  At the time I was struggling and feeling very down and defeated.  If this person knew my failures and frailties he would think differently!

Yet it is my hope that what was shining through my weakness was the True Rock on which I am standing—that being Jesus Christ.  He is my strength.  It is not me.  When I am weak, He is strong.

“I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”  Psalm 18:1-2 (NIV)

Besides the above passage, there are also 2 songs that come to mind—one is an old hymn, the other a contemporary song.  They both speak of the Rock.  The chorus of “My Hope is Built” goes like this:

“On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

Then there is a verse in the song “Hiding Place” by Sara Groves:

“You never meant for me to walk alone
You are always for me
As the truest lover of my soul
You hear my desperate calling

You have kept my feet from falling
And have set me on this rock on which I’m standing now.”

Where do you find your strength?  Often we try to act in our own strength and end up failing miserably.  I find that I am also tempted to get my strength from other people; i.e. my husband, other family members, friends and co-workers.  They may offer me encouragement but are not the source of strength that I need.  My life needs to be built on the Rock giving me a solid foundation for whatever I face in life.

Jesus used the example of the man who builds his house on a rock compared to one who builds it on the sand.  This is part of what is known as the Sermon on the Mount.   Jesus said:

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on 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. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish 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 (NIV)

As summer is fading away and we get back into more hectic routines we may find ourselves feeling weak and helpless.  When that happens I encourage you to spend time in prayer and studying the Bible to get to know Jesus better.  Hopefully then you will turn to Him when things get tough and be able to stand firmly on the Rock. 

Have a great day!