“The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
“When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
“Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
“One thing have I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire in his temple.
“For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.”
What a marvellous assurance of confidence in the LORD is presented in this Psalm! And each of us needs such confidence—if not today, then we will need such confidence very soon! Confidence such as demonstrated in this Psalm doesn’t just happen, it is the result of passing through times of trial where we learn to depend on the Lord our God. Because we are born from above and into the Family of God, our Father is always working in our lives to change us into the image of His Son. We will each pass through various times of testing, trials that will test our faith. We should be comforted in the knowledge that God will never waste the trials we are passing through by allowing us to suffer needlessly. Our God is always working to use the situation in which we find ourselves to glorify His Name and to benefit us by making us stronger and teaching us to lean on His grace. You have heard me say, and I will now repeat the truth, we serve a God Who is too wise to make a mistake, and too good to needlessly hurt us. God is demonstrating the power of His transforming grace at work in your life when He permits you to pass through the time of testing.
Peter, writing Jewish followers of the Christ who were experiencing extreme opposition, encourages us when he testifies, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” [1 PETER 1:3-7].
The Apostle returns to this same theme when he writes shortly after, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And
‘If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” [1 PETER 4:12-19].
The Apostle to the Jews encourages us to look beyond the moment to what lies beyond this dying life, to what awaits us in the coming life. We are being encouraged to see the trials of this moment as permitted by our Father to reveal His power at work in our lives. In fact, Peter says that we should rejoice because we know how things will end. We are not living for this moment; we are living in light of eternity. We have our eyes fixed far beyond this moment.
The one writing the Letter to Hebrew Christians invested time to speak of those who had gone before, writing particularly of what they had suffered because of their faith. Then, he pens this summation that should encourage each of us. “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city” [HEBREWS 11:13-16].
No one who hears my voice this day has received the promises that God has given, but each of us who knows the Master has seen these things by faith. We have not seen the home that Christ has prepared for us, but we know He has gone before us to prepare that place for us. That home is real, and we find ourselves longing to see it. During the times of testing, during the days of trial that each of us has experienced, we long to step onto that beautiful shore. But in the wisdom of the Father, we are told “Just a little longer; just a short while, and then you can come home.” And we are enabled to continue for just a little longer, knowing that in His time, our Saviour will come and we will be relieved of the burden we now bear.
THE DAY OF TROUBLE COMES TO EACH ONE —
“When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
“Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
[PSALM 27:2-3]
I have often wished that I could always be positive when I deliver the message prepared for the day. I wish I could always be affirming, always be that preacher who encourages all who listen each time I step behind the sacred desk. However, I have imbibed deeply at the well of the Prophets and dined too frequently on the riches of the Word with the Puritan divines. It is not that I oppose using soothing words and soft statements to encourage those who listen, but I hold the opinion that encouragement must be salted with exposure of the error that plagues our lives. It is a futile exercise to affirm behaviour that is wicked, or behaviour that is only somewhat good. It is a hard truth to hear, but incomplete obedience is disobedience. I understand that the physician of the soul must diagnose the illness or the remedy will be administered incompletely or rejected as unnecessary. I know that encouragement comes from pointing to Christ and calling those who listen to adhere to the Word He has given. Assurance comes from the Spirit of Christ as He brings us into agreement with the Word of God. And the Word our Lord has given is the admonition to look to Him, especially when one is assailed, when one is attacked.
Here is the point of this summation of ministry—every person under the sound of my voice will at some point experience opposition. Note that as the Psalmist opens this Psalm he says, “When evildoers assail me.” He does not say, “If evildoers assail me.” His language is definite in stating that an individual does have adversaries and foes. And that includes each of us. Though we who follow the Lord seek to do good to all people, there will always be those who are determined to harm us. It would be ideal if all the world was godly and all people sought to bless others. However, we know that is not the case. Evil does exist and evil people do live among us. And each of us has experienced a time when malicious accusations were levelled against us or when someone sought to injure our reputation.
As you listen to newscasts as reporters interview friends or family members of someone who has been killed, or during a television drama as the detective interviews those who knew the victim, you will hear the one being interviewed say, “She didn’t have an enemy in the world.” Well, obviously that can’t be right. The fact that a person was murdered, or the fact that someone was attacked, is evidence that the individual had at least one enemy!
The point of this exercise consisting of the foregoing statements is to emphasise that no one is without opposition. Years ago, a preacher whom I appreciate immensely, said, “If you don’t want trouble, don’t say anything, don’t do anything, don’t be anything.” There is always someone available to bad-mouth you. Perhaps these benighted souls are offended in what you say, or they are insulted by your actions, or perhaps they are just upset that you exist.
At any given time, you who hear me speaking will either be about to enter a time of trouble, or you are now slogging through a time of trouble, or you are just coming out of a time of trouble. Trouble is a part of life; suffering is a part of life; and this especially holds true for us as followers of the Christ. You may recall how Jesus had just been encouraging His disciples by reminding them that He had overcome the world. Then, He pronounced this testimony to them, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world” [JOHN 16:33 NET 2ND].
The Master was speaking to disciples such as you and me, and He acknowledged that we who follow Him do experience trouble and suffering—it is our lot in life. If tears have not yet washed your eyes, you shall know the bitter taste of those salty drops all too soon. I have often marvelled at the encouragement delivered to early disciples, noting that it is quite different from the encouragement that will be given to disciples in this day. After the first missionary tour was about to conclude, the missionaries began to retrace their steps in reverse. At this point, we read, “When [the missionaries] had preached the gospel to [Derbe] and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” [ACTS 14:21-22].
Can you imagine the Bible school or seminary that would dare teach students to be this negative today? And yet, doesn’t the theme of many of the New Testament documents revolve around the theme of trials? In what is arguably Paul’s earliest missive to be included in the canon of Scripture, he wrote, “When we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know” [1 THESSALONIANS 3:1-4].
The Apostle to the Gentiles was not reticent in speaking of the trials he endured to fulfil the ministry to which he was appointed. As he wrote the final letter that would be included in the canon of Scripture, he cautioned the pastor of the Church in Ephesus, “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” [2 TIMOTHY 3:10-13].
Paul would speak of our relationship with the Saviour and how the Spirit of God lived in us, guiding us. But note what he wrote concerning the witness of the Spirit in his Letter to the saints in Rome. “Brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” [ROMANS 8:12-17]. It is as though the Apostle is cautioning the one who treats discipleship casually that when the Spirit of Christ takes up residence in your life, He may well lead you to stand in the hard place which will entail suffering with Christ before you share in His glory.
Nor should anyone imagine that Paul was alone in speaking of the trials we who follow the Risen Lord of Glory shall experience. Peter spoke pointedly of trials believers would experience when he wrote in his first letter, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And
‘If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” [1 PETER 4:12-19]. Peter writes as if the disciple of Christ can anticipate opposition, trials, because suffering and trials are the lot of the Christian!
Having written such a pointed warning, the Apostle to the Jews drew his first missive to a conclusion by speaking of the suffering the saints would experience. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen” [1 PETER 5:6-11]. We share in a universal brotherhood of suffering that is witnessed throughout the world!
What the Apostles wrote reflects what the Master taught. Jesus had just rebuffed a rich young man more enamoured of his wealth then he was of walking with Christ. The Apostles marvelled that Jesus didn’t want to accept this young man on his terms, stressing how having left everything they followed. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life” [MARK 10:29-30].
I have often cited Jesus’ words spoken as He prepared His disciples for His exodus, but what He said at one point needs to be emphasised frequently. Recall that Jesus has taught us: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause’” [JOHN 15:18-25].
Preparing the disciples for service, Jesus cautioned, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” [MATTHEW 10:34-39].
The Psalm serving as our text begins with a warning of trials, a warning that the worshipper of the True and Living God will face opposition, and the theme of trials and opposition continues in the pages of the New Testament from the time Jesus spoke until the final chapters had been written. And the opposition we face continues to this day, coming just as the Lord warned, even from our own families.
DWELLING IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD?
“One thing have I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire in his temple.
[PSALM 27:4]
The Psalmist is adamant that one desire characterises his life, one great motivator drives him. And that motivating factor is his determination to situate himself in the presence of the LORD.
Reading this verse, we receive the impression that the Psalmist does not stray far from the longing to be near the LORD. He is consumed with the desire to know God; he will not be turned from pursuing righteousness. David cannot permit himself to be turned aside by pettiness, by the foibles of others. This is a thought that is not restricted to this one instance, either. Elsewhere, we see David confessing,
“O LORD, I love the habitation of your house
and the place where your glory dwells.”
[PSALM 26:8]
And in this instance, the Psalmist’s desire is expressed because he fears that if he does not dwell in the Lord’s House, he is liable to be swept away by the evil individuals who surround him. David writes,
“Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
in whose hands are evil devices,
and whose right hands are full of bribes.”
[PSALM 26:9-10]
In the presence of the Lord, the individual determined to walk with Him is kept from evil, just as we witness when reading the Shepherd’s Psalm. Listen again to those familiar words.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
“You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.”
[PSALM 23:1-6]
The Psalmist knows that in God’s presence he will be nourished, refreshed, rested, and secure.
It is impossible to defeat that individual whose life is marked by one magnificent goal. This is especially true when the defining goal of that individual’s life is God’s righteousness. And the Psamist attests that he has asked the LORD to grant him this one great desire, which is to dwell in “the House of the Lord.” Nor should we imagine that he is merely looking for a place to be! The Psalmist wants to see the beauty of the LORD and he is seeking to learn from Him. He wants to drink deeply from the well of divine knowledge while feasting at the LORD’s table.
This raises the question, do we as worshippers of the LORD actually live in the House of the LORD? God does dwell with the one who worships Him, those known by the Son of God. This is reality for redeemed people since the Spirit of God lives in the one who follows the Risen Saviour. We need to remember that the body of the child of God is identified as God’s Temple [see 1 CORINTHIANS 3:16-17]. Thus, the one who follows the Lord Jesus is declared holy, for the Holy Spirit of Christ lives in that worshipper of the Lord of Glory.
Nor should anyone imagine that they can imagine the church building will serve as a substitute for the “House of the Lord.” I’m fully aware of the words of the Apostle penned as he encouraged his protégé, Timothy. “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth” [1 TIMOTHY 3:14-15]. But it is obvious as we read the words of the Psalmist that he was focused on so living that he was allowed immediate access into the presence of the Living God.
And we who are redeemed have just such access. We are encouraged to seize upon this access when we read, “Let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help” [HEBREWS 4:16 NET 2ND]. The promise we see written here is assuredly an affirmation of what we read elsewhere when the same writer wrote, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” [HEBREWS 10:19-22].
We are encouraged to be confident in coming before the Lord with our requests. Reading the words recorded in the Letter to Hebrew Christians, your mind may turn quite naturally to the closing admonitions penned by the Apostle Paul when he was writing to the Christians in Philippi. Paul encourages those saints, and he encourages each Christian today, by writing, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” [PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7].
Again, these verses give witness to how living in the presence of the Saviour benefits us. Anxieties are reduced, and even eliminated, as we live in the joy of the Lord. As we demonstrate the reasonableness of Christ in the Spirit Whom He gives us, we are encouraged to speak often with Him so that there are no secrets between us and Him. Ultimately, this results in His peace! Imagine! Peace in the midst of a world caught up in turmoil and growing chaos!
Our neighbours to the south just conducted an election that generated considerable heat and not much light. We had an election in our own province that saw some rather strong opinions expressed. And we will see a national election within the coming year, if not sooner. Strong feelings concerning the direction our nations should move are constantly expressed, and those on the losing end of things tend to become quite animated as they imagine terrible things happening. We are no longer fellow citizens with differing opinions, we are constantly driven to a form of tribalism that anathematises those who disagree with our views. These harsh expressions generate strong emotions and ensure that times will grow tense. I think it is fair to say that our world is in turmoil. I’m not suggesting that we cease to participate in the political process, but I do recommend that we seek peace in the presence of the Lord.
Writing in the Ephesian encyclical, the Apostle is emphasising his ministry, explaining how the Lord had appointed him to His service, when he makes an insightful comment. Paul writes, “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him” [EPHESIANS 3:7-12]. Pause to note how we who are saved, we who are brought into God’s eternal kingdom, now have boldness and access to God, and we have this access with confidence through our faith in Christ the Lord! This is precisely what we witness in the Letter to Hebrew Christian as we just read.
THE LORD IS MY SHELTER!
“He will hide me in His shelter
in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me under the cover of His tent;
He will lift me high upon a rock.”
[PSALM 27:5]
What a powerful affirmation! What a confidence builder! I have often found great comfort in the promise God gave through Moses, when He encouraged Israel,
“The eternal God is your dwelling place,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
[DEUTERONOMY 33:27a]
The Living God is a shelter for all who look to Him. We hide ourselves in Him. Threaten the child of God, but you cannot touch that child until the Father permits you to do so. God is my protector, and a covert from the storms that rage.
Consider what I have said to this point. If you put your faith in Christ Jesus the Son of God, you will face testing—intense, continued, personal testing. And the attacks mounted against you will often be coming from those whom you love most deeply. As a Christian, your love for the world will grow, and your love for lost family and friends will grow deeper, more intense. For this reason, the attacks you will suffer will sting more terribly than you could ever imagine. Though you know the veracity of Jesus’ words when He taught us, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” [JOHN 15:18], the pain you will experience will not be less. Because you follow Christ, and because His Spirit lives in you, you will love even more than before their attack those who assail you. But your love will only make it possible to bear the pain you experience; it will not change the hurt you experience.
Here is what will happen, if you permit Him to shelter you. You will find a strong refuge in the Son of God. He will hide you so that you need not surrender to the anger that would have once welled up inside when you were hurt. Instead, you will find deep compassion for those who attack you. And just as the Saviour prayed for those who crucified Him, so you will pray for those who hurt you. You will recall how hanging on the cross, bearing the sin of an uncaring world—sin that included the evil that once contaminated your life, the Son of God prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” [LUKE 23:34]. In the same way, you will be enabled to pray for those who seek to harm you, asking that the Father forgive them. This is the promise of God.
It is always interesting to note the Hebraism that is seen so often in the Psalms as one Psalmist after another speaks of having their feet placed on a rock, as they speak of being set high upon a rock. In one Psalm, we witness the Psalmist exulting,
“The LORD has become my stronghold,
and my God the rock of my refuge.”
[PSALM 94:22]
In another Psalm, we witness the Psalmist as he encourages all who would honour the LORD, to see Him as the “Rock of our salvation.” What a title to give to our God!
“Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”
[PSALM 95:1-2]
Thus, throughout the Psalms we will witness on multiple occasions the various Psalmists pleading with God, specifically asking that God would become a Rock of refuge. If the Psalms are of any value to us, surely it is to remind us that the Lord GOD is our rock.
“In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame!
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me, and save me!
Be to me a rock of refuge,
to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.”
[PSALM 71:1-3]
Permit me to point to another time when the Psamist was pleading to be led to the rock that would become his refuge.
“Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.”
[PSALM 61:1-3]
Indulge me as I provide one further instance of pleading for God to be His rock.
“In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!
“For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;
you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.”
[PSALM 31:1-4]
It is because God is the rock to Whom His beloved can resort that David would testify in yet another of the Psalms,
“I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD.”
[PSALM 40:1-3]
Allow me to expand on this theme, perhaps providing an explanation for the reason we witness this repeated theme of seeking a rock. To the Hebrew mind, the world was a treacherous place, a landscape that was devoid of shelter, and a land in which the child of God would be susceptible to assault. When the enemy rushed upon the one who followed the LORD, the child of God might attempt to flee for shelter. But the ground was seen as miry, as slippery, and his footing would leave him insecure and susceptible to falling. And should the worshipper of the LORD fall, the enemy could quickly fall upon him, destroying him. Therefore, the worshipper was always aware of his own jeopardy and his need for a place where he could stand to hold off the enemy.
Anyone who has been trained in martial arts, anyone who has been entrusted with the lives of others in dangerous situations, anyone who has been trained as a first responder, will be aware of the concept of situational awareness. It is easier to avoid a problem than it is to get out of a dangerous situation. It is better to avoid conflict than it is to resolve conflict. The various Psalmists were aware of the potential for danger, and they pleaded with the LORD to deliver them by being for them a refuge and a rock on Whom they could stand.
Isn’t that what Jesus has taught us when He instructed us to pray,
“Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.”
[MATTHEW 6:13]
We are His sheep, and as sheep we are susceptible to ambush by the wicked one, and we are liable to stumble through giving in to our fallen desires. We desperately need a place where we can stand, a refuge, a shelter from the storms that always break about us. We need the assurance of the secret place where we are kept from assault, where we can find rest for our souls.
The hour is late and the message must be drawn to a conclusion. Some who listen this day have no refuge, have no rock to whom they may resort. They wonder whether God can love them, and our message is that God loves lost people. The evidence this is the case is seen in the sacrifice of Christ the Son of God. Jesus gave His life because of your brokenness, because of your inability to make yourself acceptable to the True and Living God. The Good News is that Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave; He rose to life again.
Now, the Word of God invites you to receive the forgiveness of sin. You are invited when the Father graciously extends His grace to you, promising, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” [ROMANS 10:9-10].
To make the promise easier to understand, Paul cites the ancient prophet Joel, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” [ROMANS 10:13]. Amen.
[1] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
