In the Word: God is My Rock

Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be studying Psalm 18:1-2 together. Psalm 18 was penned by David after God had delivered Him from the hands of his enemies, and is rich with metaphors describing the nature and character of God. In this series, we will be looking at how each of these attributes affords us a greater picture of God’s care for His children, and how knowing and believing these truths can bring comfort to our hearts in the midst of grief. As we study together, we encourage you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you study these names of God along with us! 

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GOD IS MY ROCK

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

“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 71:3

READ:

The first place the sun touches North America as it rises across the Atlantic Ocean is Cadillac Mountain in Maine. I have stood on top of the mountain and though it’s called a mountain, it really is a great big rock. It’s a magnificent rock. Solid, yet barren of trees for protection or decoration. Just a mountain of rock.

Every morning, it awaits the first kiss of sun.

The Lord is our Rock, and He has given us the kiss, or gift, of His son, Christ.

When the shock of grief hits, it is easy to feel we have lost solid ground. It is easy to question all of the things we thought we knew for sure. So many of the ideals and beliefs we have held onto seem to slip and we run the risk of losing our sure footing.

But that is just the grief trying to confuse us and get us to step off the solid ground the Lord offers.

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.
Psalms 61:1-3

King David wrote this when he was exiled from the tabernacle—or the presence of God. He was not reigning on the throne. His heart was faint and he felt defeated, but he remembered how the Lord had been his refuge in other hardships. He knew the Lord was a solid rock who offered refuge and help in difficult times.

And the Lord offers us the same assurance today. When our hearts are faint with grief and sorrow, we can follow David’s example and cry out to our Father. We can remember the Lord is a rock, refuge and a strong tower against our enemy of sorrow, worry, fear, and doubt.

I climbed another granite mountain in the heart of Texas. The climb was hard because it was hot and humid, and there were no trees to offer the comfort of shade. When our group made it to the top, we felt as if we were on top of the world because we were at the highest point for miles and miles around. We stood at the top and took in the sight even though our mouths longed for a drop of water.

I looked down and saw a tiny tree coming out of the granite. How in the world did a tree manage to grow without soil or a regular source of water? I stooped down to take a closer look and noticed the roots of the tree went down into a crack in the granite rock. The tree was rooted in the rock and it was growing—against all odds.

If we root our faith in the Rock of Christ, we can withstand the grief and sorrow that threatens us. The Rock who is higher than our understanding. The Rock who is unmoving. The solid Rock.

Dear Mama, when you feel you are on shaky ground as you long for your baby, reach out to the Rock who is a strong tower and a mighty fortress. Christ is waiting to offer you comfort in your grief and sorrow. Let your roots go deep into the One who loves you and holds your little one until the day you can. The best thing you can do to honor your Hope Baby is to hope and stand on the solid Rock of Christ.

As I close out, the words to an old hymn echo in my heart and in my mind, “On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.”

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them
will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it
did not fall, because it had been founded on the Rock.”
Matthew 7:24

REFLECT:

1. What steps do you need to take in order to remain rooted in the Rock of Christ?
2. How has the Rock been a sure foundation for you in midst of your grief?

JOURNAL:

Read and reflect upon the words of the hymn, “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less.” Write a prayer to God, asking Him to help you build your life upon Him. Thank Him for the ways He has provided stability and shelter for you through the storms of sorrow. 

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Shelly D. Templin is an author, speaker and blogger that shares a message of hope—with humor. She has three daughters, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter. Shelly lives in Texas with her husband, Jack, of 29 years and their two dogs.

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