Greater Than Gibraltar!

“He’s my Rock of Gibraltar!” Such a statement refers to another as being their source of stability and strength. Not described as a sand pit in which one could sink or a reed that can be easily broken if used for propping up, but something solid; A ROCK! The Rock of Gibraltar overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar at the western entrance to the Mediterranean Sea is 1,398 feet high. It is a massive rock! Therefore we can understand the significance of the expression.

In the song Moses was to teach Israel prior to his death we read…
“THE ROCK, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” ( Deuteronomy 32:4 ESV)

THE ROCK! Is that how we see our God? Massive and solid? Though Israel had so often “dealt corruptly with him” ( Deuteronomy 32:5), God was to be seen as the stable and permanent One in Whom they could always depend regardless of the situation. Why? Because -- as God was characterized here -- PERFECTION marks His works and JUSTICE is the essence of all His ways. Also, since there is no iniquity or wrong with Him, His faithfulness, justness, and uprightness means He can be completely relied upon. This was in great contrast to any other who might be trusted.

Further on in this song we find this contrast where we read…
“(30) How could one have chased a thousand, and two have put ten thousand to flight, unless their ROCK had sold them, and the LORD had given them up? (31) For their rock is NOT AS OUR ROCK; our enemies are by themselves.” ( Deuteronomy 32:31 ESV)

The nation of Israel -- as they entered the promised land -- was to remember the victories they had gained and would gain were because of THE ROCK Who was with them. These were not accomplishments of their own. (note also Deuteronomy 32:27) We also need to maintain the same perspective or we will likely forget about God and our need for His abiding presence.

David expressed his confidence in God when he stated…
“(5) For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. (6) HE ONLY IS MY ROCK and my salvation, my fortress; I SHALL NOT BE SHAKEN. (7) On God rests my salvation and my glory; MY MIGHTY ROCK, my refuge is God.” ( Psalm 62:5-7 ESV)

God is the solid and stable ROCK on which we can build our life. As God has been true to His covenant of the past, He will be true still! May He remain “THE ROCK of our salvation” ( Deuteronomy 32:15; Psalm 95:1) so that we can retain the stability of which our life is in constant need.

The Rock of Gibraltar! What a vantage point from which to see! What a foundation on which to build! However, like a mountain, it can give way. It is God who is the unshakeable foundation and refuge for life and Who also provides the vantage point from which we can even glimpse eternity! May He truly be THE ROCK of our life!

Have a great day RESTING LIFE UNSHAKEABLY ON THE ONLY MIGHTY ROCK!
Carl

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