God is Our Rock Throughout the Wilderness

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"Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food. And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they, drank of the spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Jesus" (1 Corinthians 10:1-4).

This passage is telling us that in the wilderness, our Lord Jesus Christ was with the Israelites in every step. He led them through the uncertain roads and supplied them with manna, water, and shelter. He protected them from the hand of their enemies and finally delivered them to the promise land.

How do we describe a huge rock?

A Huge rock is made from a solid material, beautiful, steady, unchangeable, reliable, full of goodness...etc.

When I think of large rocks, I usually imagine a spring day on a high mountain with beautiful pastures and a gentle breeze. I can see flocks of sheep grazing in the amazing dark green grass and the bright spring flowers filling the air with their fragrance. And I can also see a flock of sheep, peaceful, comfortable and satisfied in every way.

Who is our rock?

We all need a rock. As we were children growing up, we often looked to our parents as a rock; for they are the ones who provide our daily needs and love us unconditionally. They encourage us through our lives and protect us. Until one day, we realize that our role must change. For they are no longer can be our rock, but rather, they become dependent on us.

Some people, who do not believe in God, look to other earthly things and consider others as rocks and foundations. For example, these people can depend on their own strength, or depend on their financial stability, or depend on their friends.

In both the Old and New Testaments, rocks were a symbol of God, since they are strong and immovable. Even pagans considered their gods to be strong like a rock that is their fortress, defense, and shield. The dessert of Sinai is considered one of the safest places because it was full of caves and many rock formations that were viewed as a place of safety and protection.

In the Old Testament:

Isaiah was encouraging the Israelites to return to their first love and said in Isaiah 51:1, "Listen to me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the Lord: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug."

And we also saw the hand of God was protecting David from Saul in the wilderness of Maon (Samuel 23:25-27). For Saul tried to surround David, but instead, he went to the wrong side of the mountain and could not capture David. So David wrote, "I will love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:1-2).

In the New Testament:

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock" (Matthew 7:24-25).

In the parable of the two builders, our Lord Jesus Christ gave us a clear example: If our house is built on a solid foundation, which relies on Jesus Christ, we will not lack when trials come to our door.

In Hebrews 13:8, St. Paul tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." For He gives His body and His blood to whoever is seeking salvation. And He still gives spiritual water to whoever is thirsty, as much as we need.

"Jesus said to them 'Did you never read in the scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected, has become the Chief cornerstone, this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? 'Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruit of it.''" (Mathew 21:42-43).

Our rock of righteousness and salvation can be an enemy to many people who reject it. For example, the rock can be a rock of offence, destruction, and stumbling, since judgment will be on those who disobey.

God's love and grace are always available to anyone who can expand his narrow thinking and get past the devil's plan of keeping us occupied with overwhelming difficulties in the world around us and becoming too exhausted to remember who is our rock.

God will fill us with an abundance of comfort if we can hold on to our inner-self when problem situations arise. We must keep from feeling trapped by loss of health, loss of job, loss of hope...etc. For there is nothing that can be too hopeless, too difficult, or too complicated for our God to handle.

God is always present throughout our lives and He works in amazing and mysterious ways (remember God's work through Exodus and His ability to care, to comfort, to teach, to deliver us. And remember Jesus Christ's work through the cross, to give us life and salvation).

"The Lord lives! Blessed be my rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my Salvation!" (2 Samuel 22:47).

Finally, do not neglect to renew your relationship with God, for He is our rock and our perfect God. So trust Him and walk in faith and feed your inner self with the spiritual food that it needs.

You are My Rock

Lord
I feel You whisper to me
Keep your faith and Trust in Me
And
My peace and grace will cover you
And
I will never leave or forsake you
My Lord
Who can take my peace away?
Who can shake my faith in You?
Lord
Is there any other rock that will do?
Is there anyone that can be like You?
Lord
Through my wilderness
You showed me amazing things
You carried all my burdens
You provided me with all my needs
You never let me stumble
You never allowed the devil to prevail in me
You covered me with Your hand
You gave me Your spirit to work in me
Lord
You are the only rock for me