For who is God except the Lord? And who is a rock besides our God? – Psalm 18:31
The eighteenth psalm is poetry attributed to David, and as recorded in Scripture, this poem is sung or told on the day that God delivers David from the hand of Saul. If you have a moment, today, take some time to read through the psalm in its entirety, but allow me to pause on the verse above.
One of the symbols for God’s presence utilized throughout scripture is the Rock. We know that God gives water from the split rock, that God is a rock and a refuge, a mighty rock that cannot be shaken, we even see the imagery of Zion being a mighty mountain, of which we know all mountains are made out of rock. Throughout the ages if someone wanted to build something that would last, or be considered impervious, they would build it out of rock. We see rock as something that is essentially eternal.
In ancient times, the only thing that would change the shape of rock, naturally, was water; which also was a symbol for God. Essentially meaning that the only thing that can change God is God. We do not have the ability to change God.
However, overtime we have found discovered the ability to manipulate and transform rock. Most people put a nice polished rock on top of their cabinets, and call it a counter top (granite). People have learned to carve into rock, and shape images into rock, we have even decided that if rock is in the way of the roads we make, we will remove it (tunnels). The same could be said for humans manipulation of water.
However, God is still unchanging. No matter how much we decided we can manipulate the ancient symbols of God, no matter how we reshape and twist things to fit into what we desire, the nature of God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). This nature of God is that which we see in the person of Jesus Christ, who showed us a more perfect way to love, who taught us how to accept one another in forgiveness and grace, who gave himself that the world might be saved.
God still lifts up the broken, God still hears the call of those in distress, God is still the deliver. David proclaims that Lord is loyal to the loyal, pure to the pure, and lifts up the humble. The Lord is still the light in the darkness, and perfect in His ways. Let us not think that the God has changed, and as his people in the world today, let us remain firm in the foundation of the Rock that is higher than I, the rock of our salvation that calls us to have a fullness of love for God, and for neighbor, as we await the kingdom that is to come.
Grace & Peace,
Sam