DO YOU HAVE THE PEACE OF THE ROCK?
October 16, 2023
DO YOU HAVE THE PEACE OF THE ROCK?
“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.” - Psalm 62:1-2 (KJV)
Before Dwayne Johnson, the entertainer known as the Rock, began rocking action movies like Hercules, G.I. Joe, Fast and Furious and Walking Tall, the Prudential Insurance Company adopted the Rock of Gibraltar as its company symbol. It was their intent that the Rock of Gibraltar would reflect the strength and security it offered to customers.
The Rock of Gibraltar is located off the south-west tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It rises to an impressive height of nearly 1,400 feet and is strategically positioned overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar. Its imposing visage makes it a symbol of indomitable strength. It has become one of the most recognized corporate symbols in the world. The Prudential Insurance Company proudly promotes that when you purchase their product you have a piece of the rock which will provide you with the strength and security that your family needs.
However, in the scriptures, we see King David, the beloved psalmist, refer to another Rock. Listen to his description of the peace of this Rock:
“He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.” - Psalm 62:2 (KJV)
“He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” - Psalm 62:6-7 (KJV)
In Psalm 62, David points us to the unparalleled peace and security that is found solely in his Savior and God. In the storm of opposition, David silently waited for God, specifically for the strength and security that God gives to those that trust in Him! This psalm clearly creates a chasm of contrast between the strong security of trusting God with the impotent insecurity of relying on human strategies and devices (money, man, institutions, instincts, intuition and investments). The message of this psalm is spelled out in the first verse when David wrote that he waited in silence for God. Later in the fifth verse, David said that his soul finds rest in God alone.
“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” - Psalm 62:5 (KJV)
Despite the trouble he faced, David was cool, calm and collected because he confidently counted on God to deliver!
Question: Are you trusting God in the tempest? If not, with all due respect, you are robbing yourself from rest! God is greater than Gibraltar! He made it! You must immediately flee from being fixated in the finite and invite the infinite God to rule over your trouble.
As a closing thought, I offer you a tool that will help train your heart and mind to experience the peace of the Rock – the true Rock, Jesus Christ, not Dwayne Johnson!
Rest: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 28:11 (KJV)
Obey: “But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.” - Exodus 23:22 (KJV)
Comfort: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV)
Know: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” - Philippians 3:10 (KJV)
In order to experience the peace of the Rock, you must train yourself to rest in Jesus Christ and obey His commands, trusting Him with the outcome of your circumstances. Only then will you be able to experience His comfort and know who He is in the midst of your trouble.
Not a Sermon But a Thought,
PBKSR