Sticks & Stones 6 – The One Stone We Can Trust

In times that are crazy, sort of like now, we need to look for a solid place to find grounding.  We have talked about stones being a burden and that we need to lay them down and move forward without them.  Today I want us to think about a rock that we can find grounding in these turbulent times.  This rock is God.  David writes in Psalm 62 about the rock that God has been in his life.

He is a rock to sit on and rest.

David starts the song in verse 1: “I find rest in God; only he can save me.  He is my rock and my salvation.”   One of my first jobs was working with my step-father in construction.  I can still sometimes hear him ask me if I plan on being lazy my whole life when I would take a minute to rest.  Then in my church it was almost the same with God.  You were not never able to just rest.  It seemed like they taught us that salvation was given to us by God, but you better not quit working to be accepted by God.  Think for a moment that God wants us to rest in His grace for us.  That the first place we will find rest is in God’s love for us and His offer of salvation for each of us.

He is a rock to hide behind and be defended

David continues, “He is my defender; I will not be defeated. How long will you attack someone? Will all of you kill that person? Who is like a leaning wall, like a fence ready to fall?  They are planning to make that person fall. They enjoy telling lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.” Psalm 62:2-4 (NCV)

David reveals a dark side about us humans.  We can be the most two faced creatures God ever created.   And that is saying something when you think that a praying mantis eats its partner after sex.   I have had things done and said to me that I do not always understand.  But I always remember that God is the one who defends me.  I need to remember that when others say and see things in me he defends me in my spirit.  I hide in His thoughts of me, not others.  When people see the worst I listen for his reassuring voice.

He is a rock to stand on and hope

Hope is the oxygen of the soul.  I remember the first time I read that quote.  It made me realize that if we have hope we have a chance.  David wrote next: “I find rest in God; only he gives me hope. He is my rock and my salvation. He is my defender; I will not be defeated. My honor and salvation come from God. He is my mighty rock and my protection.”  Psalm 62:5-7 (NCV)

I know people look for hope and help anywhere they can find.  I know that no matter what comes at us; faith in God can always give us hope.  Some people think that hope in God is a fairy tale.  That one day He will come back and make all of this right.  I do not have hope in God because I am waiting for something in the future.  I find hope in God because of how He has come through in my past.  I can look back at times when I was not sure how something was going to go and have seen God come through.  That is why we can stand when things look shaky.  Hope is found in the one you hope in, not the situation.

He is a rock where you can kneel and pray

Prayer is one of those rituals that we all know we need in our lives, but many times can become a last resort.  David writes again, “People, trust God all the time. Tell him all your problems, because God is our protection.” Psalm 62:8 (NCV)  At times I fight the urge to pray and ask God to intervene.  At times I think I should just get up and do something about my situation to make it better.  I often wonder what would happen if I invited God into my situation earlier.  We can kneel and pray and invite God to become a rock to protect us. 

He is a rock whose core is loving & rewarding

David takes a turn as he describes God as loving and rewarding.  David finishes this song with these words: “The least of people are only a breath, and even the greatest are just a lie. On the scales, they weigh nothing; together they are only a breath. Do not trust in force. Stealing is of no use. Even if you gain more riches, don’t put your trust in them. God has said this, and I have heard it over and over: God is strong. The Lord is loving. You reward people for what they have done.” Psalm 62:9-12 (NCV)

David reminds us that our lives are going to be rewarded according to our good and bad works.  Many times people ask the question: “Why is God doing this or allowing this to happen?”  Most of the time I think we need to remember that what happens to us is usually our own making.  Our lives are the sum total of our decisions and choices in life.  I also believe that in His love God rewards and makes our lives meaningful.  He is always working on our behalf to show us His love. 

So this God we believe in is a rock that can be there for us whenever we need Him.  He blesses and watches over us.  He is a rock that can be all these things in our lives and can give us hope to stand, rest, kneel and be protected from the things that would shake our lives.