“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. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3 NKJV
In this series we’re exploring the protective nature of God revealed in scripture, and specifically how he’s a refuge for his people. All throughout scripture, God communicates that he’s a place of safety and security.
In Psalm 18, David shows us the multilayered nature of God’s protection, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.” At first glance it may seem as though David is being repetitive, to emphasize his point. But I believe he’s calling out three distinct aspects of the Father’s protection: Rock. Fortress. Deliverer.
And then David elaborates on each of these aspects as verse 2 continues:
“My God, my strength, in whom I will trust” – God our rock.
“My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” – God our fortress.
“I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised” – God our deliverer.
David finishes his thought with, “So shall I be saved from my enemies,” meaning by relying on God in the three ways listed above.
How amazing and instructive is that? Let’s look at each aspect in more detail.
The Lord is my ROCK
The idea of God as a rock for Israel and for the Christian church is revealed throughout scripture. What is God saying to his people with this image? The rock is immovable. The rock is secure. An unshakeable foundation on which a culture, a nation, or an individual can build. God is saying if you put your faith in me, live according to my precepts, follow me, then you will be in a place where I can bless you. Abraham understood this. Moses understood this. David understood this. Jesus understood this. The old covenants were built on this, and it’s still true for us today. Building your life on the rock creates a place of security and blessing.
This seems like a preventative aspect of God’s protection. We can avoid innumerable calamities simply by humbling ourselves and building our lives according to his Word. “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily.” (Isa 28:16 NKJV)
Jesus told the parable of the wise and foolish builders, saying, “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.” (Mt 7:24-25 ESV)
What can we learn from these passages?
1) Jesus is the rock on which to build. We are living in the age of grace, under a New Testament covenant sealed by His blood. We are positioned protectively on the rock of salvation as we believe and trust in word AND deed. Jesus said the wise man hears and does, meaning it is both faith and action. It’s a confession of Jesus as Lord, and then the act of walking out salvation and putting our hearts and lives in line with his.
2) Building on the rock doesn’t prevent you from experiencing life’s challenges. In Jesus’ parable, the wind and rain beat upon the houses built on the rock and on the sand; but only the house on the rock stood firm. Our hearts are secure on his foundation, even in the storms of life.
“In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:7-8 NKJV)
Let’s build upon the Rock and draw strength and protection from him today!
Michael Kurtz
