Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 God as Rock and Fortress

KEY TEXT: Psalms 31:2-5 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

KEY THOT: David regards God as his Rock and Fortress. Rock suggests a strong foundation upon which to build our lives. We will have a life of stability and security when we build our life work, marriage and family upon this Rock. On the other hand, Fortress suggests safety and protection from the enemies' attack. The Fortress is a place of peace and freedom from molestation from the enemies. Together God as Rock and Fortress grants us stability, security, safety and peace. And David says that God is faithful God and he does all these for His people "for your name's sake" (v.3). God's name is at stake because He has linked his reputation with ours. As our Rock and Fortress, God faithfully leads us, guide us, deliver us out of the traps set by our enemies (v.3,4). So we may confess with David, "you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God" (v.5).

God as our Rock implies that we are to live a life of obedience--doers, not hearers only. Jesus told a parable about two builders--one building his house on sand and the other building his house on the rock. When the storms of life hit us, the house on the rock stands while the house on sand falls. Both builders hear God's word but the one who builds his house on the rock not only listens but obeys: "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matthew 7:24).

Listening to great preachers and preaching will not transform us until we put what we have heard into practice.

On the other hand, God as our Fortress implies that we can call upon Him in times of troubles: "Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily!" Paul in Philippians 4:6-7 exhorts us not to be anxious about anything, "but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  The more we commit our anxieties to God, the more peace we experience. God our Fortress will guard us from becoming out of focus in our lives by granting us his peace "that surpasses all understanding". This peace of God will "guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." When we have this peace of God, our spiritual compass will be reset to point our hearts and minds to the North Star, which is Jesus Christ.

Father, thank You that You are our Rock and our Fortress. In You we find stability, security, safety and peace. Grant us O Lord deliverance from the cares and anxieties in our lives. Amen.