I love you, Lord;
you are my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies. Psalm 18: 1-3 NLT
In the wilderness regions of southern Judah there are many rocky cliffs and caves that provide shade from the heat of the day, shelter, and a secure place to stand and fight.
I will proclaim the name of the Lord;
how glorious is our God!
He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.
Everything he does is just and fair.
He is a faithful God who does no wrong;
how just and upright he is! Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (NLT)
Like a rock, God is firm, solid, impregnable and immovable, a stable place of safety. A rock is also a place to stand, to the high ground for viewing and defending.
I stand silently before the Lord, waiting for him to rescue me. For salvation comes from him alone. Yes, he alone is my Rock, my rescuer, defense and fortress. Why then should I be tense with fear when troubles come? Psalm 62:1-2 (TLB)
The Holy Land is known for torrential rains that often cause disastrous floods. Jesus compared hearing and following Him to wise building practices.
[Jesus says,] “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT)
The two houses might look identical (it is often hard to see the foundation), but the proof is in the way they hold up against wind and rain. Once the storms come, it is too late to lay a good foundation.
“The Lord is my Rock,” a secure cornerstone,
My hope is established upon Him alone.
Though many may stumble and flounder on sand,
While my feet are set upon Him, I will stand.