God Our Rock
Introduction: This study brings passages together from the Old and the New Testaments to demonstrate the solid basis of the Christian faith in the one true God. There is “no other foundation” for eternal life, and no other “cornerstone” for that foundation. The fact that God is our “rock” expresses spiritual truth that will endure for all time.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the American King James Version.
A — God Our Rock
Deuteronomy 32 “4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he… 15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: you are waxen fat, you are grown thick, you are covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation… 18 Of the Rock that begat you you are unmindful, and have forgotten God that formed you.”
1 Corinthians 10 “4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”
Comments: Moses spoke these words preparing to pass the leadership of Israel to Joshua. He set the pattern describing the LORD God as the rock for the nation of Israel, knowing also that when they prospered they would forget him, or “lightly esteem” the rock of their salvation. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul speaks in spiritual terms about the rock that provided water for life beginning in the time of Moses with Israel in the desert, for he says “that rock was Christ.” Paul connects the rock that was for the children of Israel for so many centuries, to Christ the rock who freely offers salvation to both Jew and Gentile.
B — The Rejected Building Stone
Psalm 118 “22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
Acts 4 “11 This is the stone which was set at nothing of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
1 Peter 2 “6 Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded. 7 To you therefore which believe he is precious: but to them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”
Comments: Christ Jesus is the stone from prophecy in scripture, that was rejected by the builders of religion, that has become the corner stone for a true foundation of faith because there is no other name under heaven whereby people must be saved. To those who believe, this cornerstone is precious; but to those who reject him he is a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense that will bring them to lasting shame.
C — The Foundation on the Solid Rock
Isaiah 28 “16 Therefore thus said the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste.”
1 Corinthians 3 “10 According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Comments: Isaiah wrote the above prophecy foreshadowing the coming of Christ who would present himself as the sure foundation of God for those who would believe and place their trust in him alone. Paul makes it clear that beyond confessing Christ as our Savior just by our words, we must believe in our heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. We must believe in our heart that Jesus filled all the prophecy about his coming and it was completed by his resurrection. Belief in him is the basis of our righteousness before God.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord you are my rock of salvation to eternal life, and I thank you that you brought me to the point of understanding your word that I might trust you alone as the sure foundation for my faith. I want to demonstrate the blessing that I have in being part of those who have received your vineyard that was taken from others as described in your parable to the religious leaders. I acknowledge that as the vineyard is yours, so too is the fruit that is yielded as I have become one of your workers. When I have opportunity to share the gospel with others, help me Lord to build only upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and your finished work because there is no other foundation. Hallelujah and all glory to God my Rock! Amen.
Published 19 February 2013