Amy Boucher Pye

Tag: fortress

  • Devotional of the week: Psalm 18:30–31

    Rock of ages

    As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? (Psalm 18:30–31, NIV)

     

    I know I should have a picture of rocks from the Holy Land, but the rocks on the West Coast of Ireland speak to me deeply.
    I know I should have a picture of rocks from the Holy Land, but the rocks on the West Coast of Ireland speak to me deeply.

    Today David again calls God the rock who provides him refuge. It may seem repetitious, but as Charles Spurgeon said in The Treasury of David, “Second thoughts upon God’s mercy should be and often are the best.”

    As Moses was preparing the Israelites to go into the Promised Land, he sang a song about the Lord and uses very similar words to David’s: “He is the Rock, his works are perfect…” (Deuteronomy 32:4). Clearly God as the rock, sure foundation, and provider of refuge was an important image to our heroes in the faith.

    In the desert lands of the Bible, rocks were a welcome sight as they would provide shade from the scorching heat of the sun. Underneath their cover the desert creatures and plants would flourish, and a weary traveler would find shelter, rest, and perhaps even a spring of water. Rocks were also the foundation to the fortresses that would provide safety from attacking troops.

    The image of the rock is important in the New Testament too. Jesus says that those who put his teachings into practice are like “a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). Though the elements raged against it, it didn’t fall. And Jesus renamed Simon “Peter,” the Greek word for rock, saying, “and on this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18).

    God wants to be the foundation of our lives. He is filled with the strength that does not waver and a solidity that will not crack. As we look to him for help, he will provide shelter and refreshment. The need might be financial – negative equity on a mortgage or out-of-control fuel prices. The need might be emotional – for someone to love and be loved by. Or it might be physical – for healing and restoration. He will provide answers; perhaps not as we would, but according to his mercy and wisdom. For his way is perfect and his word is flawless.

     

    Prayer: Lord God, you are the rock of our lives, a mighty fortress who never fails. We look to you for shelter, rest, and refreshment.

     

  • Devotional of the week: Psalm 18:1-3

    Rock

    My rock and refuge

    I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1–3 (NIV)

     

    This psalm begins with an impassioned cri de coeur – I love you, Lord! David’s adoration and thanksgiving pours out in an intimate declaration. These are the words of lovers, of parents and children, of closest friends. And they are the words of an earthly king spoken to the heavenly King who rescued him from his enemies.

    David employs seven metaphors to describe the saving nature of God: Yahweh is his rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, horn of salvation and stronghold. These images relate to the military battles David fought throughout his life and to how God provided him with physical safety as he hid from his pursuers, swords drawn and ready to strike. In danger, he called to the Lord for help.

    We may not need to take cover in mountain hideaways, but God wants to be our rock – our firm foundation. With him the building of our lives will withstand powerful and dangerous storms. Indeed, as Paul said to the Ephesians, we have been “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord” (2:20–21).

    And God yearns to be our stronghold and fortress. In David’s time a fortress was a remote rocky spot that was used as a place of refuge. Its very isolation provided a safe haven. Today too the unchanging God outstretches his arms and welcomes us to take shade in his presence. As Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

    A rock to build our lives on. A fortress for protection. Delivery, safety, refuge and strength. All attributes of the God who loves us and draws us to himself.

     

    Prayer: Lord, help me build my life on your foundation. Shield me this day from those who would oppress me. Hide me in the shadows of your wings. I love you!