Rock of Ages

The last couple weeks have been pretty intense for me.  There have been many things for me to deal with.  There was one thing that hit me particularly hard.  I immediately felt nervous, anxious, fearful even.  I knew I needed to take it to the Lord right away - which I did.  I proclaimed my trust in Him.  I immediately thought of the verse "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." - Psalm 56:3.  David was a mighty warrior, but he had moments of fear.....and he knew what to do with that fear.  He turned to the Lord.

Fear and trust can go hand-in-hand.  It all depends on our response.  That's what David was saying in that verse.  We don't need to beat ourselves up if we are anxious or fearful.  We just need to take our emotion to the Lord, and affirm our trust in Him.  When I did that, and I also asked some friends to pray for me, a sweet peace came into my heart.

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper."  1 Kings 19:12 

"He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him."  Psalm 91:15

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."  Psalm 23:4

My situation isn't resolved, but I know God is with me and carrying me through it.  I feel His covering of peace. 

It's rare for a day to go by that I don't thank the Lord for being my ROCK.  I know I need to cling to the Lord as my steadfast, sure rock.  He has supported me through all I've gone through. 

A friend sent me a story from a devotional.  A young man was in a ship wreck and lost at sea.  He was able to grab a big rock.  He was cold and trembling the whole night with waves crashing all around him.  Later after he was rescued people asked him if he wasn't scared.  He replied, "I was scared, but the rock never moved!"

I love that!  The Rock I cling to never moves either.  He has stayed firm as my foundation all these years.  I think of the song - "Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee."  I have hidden myself in the wonderful Rock of Jesus.

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise."  Psalm 18:1-3

"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer."  2 Samuel 22:2

"My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved." Psalm 62:5,6

When I have been in need, called out to the Lord, and waited for Him - He has always come through as my Rock.  He has never failed me.  He is so faithful!