Hello Beloved,

We have been studying the “epithets” for God. As a reminder, the Oxford English Dictionary defines an epithet as “an adjective or phrase expressing a characteristic quality or attribute of the person or thing mentioned.” Last month, we considered the epithet “Judge” in relation to God. This month, we will consider the function of God as “Rock.” As a “Rock,” God is stable and fixed. That is, He does not change. God is unvarying in His character and always keeps His promises. God is also enduring and permanent; something that can be relied upon. Like a rock over the years of time, God is steady. A rock also functions as a protector. Many a fortress or place of refuge has been built atop a high rock. Like a great rock, God is powerful and able to meet the needs of His people. Therefore, the concept of rock flows well with God’s omnipotence (all-powerful), faithfulness, and immutability (unchanging).

In Psalm 19:14, David desires that the meditations of his heart would be acceptable to the Lord who is “my rock” and “my redeemer.” Moses describes the justice and purity of God when he states, “For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! “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 32:3-4 (ESV). Hannah used the epithet of rock to describe God’s holiness when she sang, “There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God” 1 Samuel 2:2 (ESV). To David, the rock was the one to whom he prayed stating, “To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit” Psalm 28:1 (ESV). Or consider David’s source of comfort as he prays, “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” Psalm 61:2 (ESV). Writing of God’s holiness and righteousness, the Psalmist claims, “the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him” Psalm 92:15 (ESV). And in
Psalm 95, the psalmist uses the concept of rock as an aspect of worship when He calls to his fellow congregants, “Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” Psalm 95:1 (ESV). Consider this illustration about Christ, our Rock:

In a storm one dark night some sailors were thrown by the sea upon a rock, to which they clung for their lives. Their first feeling was one of joyful gratitude. They were on a rock. Their second emotion was a sickening fear, for the tide might rise, and the storm and waves sweep over the rock and carry them away to death in the raging sea. Just then a flash of lightening overtook the darkness, and by its lurid glare they saw that the rock was covered with samphire, a plant which always grows above the level of the tide. Then were they greatly glad, for they were assuredly safe. So is it in our wildest storms, if we cast upon the rock Christ Jesus. If God loves us we shall live, for the love involves the life—life here, life everlasting. (Bible Illustrations)

Until next time, this is Pastor Daniel writing, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”