When God Does the Work
We recently had our women’s retreat and as per usual the Lord was faithful. He never fails to amaze me! After months of planning, prepping and praying He always does a mighty work. Once we have done our part, we walk through the doors of the venue and the work must be all His. Our theme was the names of God. You can study that for a lifetime and barely scratch the surface. But in our short time together we focused on just a few.
On Sunday morning it was my turn to send the ladies off with a final word. I did not want to pick just any name of God. Although it’s a subject matter that will always speak deeply, I wanted it to be personal. Something that God has used in my own life many times over. I have a picture frame on my kitchen counter. In it is the very scripture that reminds me of one of His great names. This name has proved to be my personal comfort and conviction for decades.
Who Is Your Rock?
Deuteronomy 32:3-4 “For I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Ascribe greatness to our God! He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.
Moses is delivering his final words to the Israelites before his death. This chapter is part of the “Song of Moses,” a poetic and prophetic message. The audience of Moses’ message, the Israelites are on the brink of entering the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt and years of wandering in the wilderness.
The Lord knew Israel’s history and their basic disposition toward unfaithfulness. This prophecy was to be preserved in the form of a song as God warning to later generations. Moses’ song was designed to impress upon the Israelites that their whole existence was a result of God’s faithfulness and mercy
How easy it is for us to forget from where we have come. The Lord alone guided and sustained them. But Israel’s response was primarily wickedness and ingratitude. Moses’ last words have been preserved not only for the Jewish nation but to all who call upon the name of the Lord.
Ps 90:2 reminds us, “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” This verse is a declaration of God’s sovereignty and creativity, emphasizing that humanity’s existence is a result of God’s power and purpose, not self-creation.
God Our Rock in an Unstable World
The Rock speaks of God’s permanence. He is unchanging and unchangeable. This truth has stabilized me when life has been anything but stable. When I’ve been tempted to take my eyes off the Lord. When I have doubted God’s ability to really know my situation. When I have considered supplementing my knowledge of His infinite goodness for man’s assistance or options. As though God (the Creator) needed my add on’s.
A Perfect God in an Imperfect World
His work is perfect and all His ways are just, speaks to His untainted government. God cannot be anything but righteous in His rule. He is not merely good; He is perfect. He is not merely enough; He is everything. He is not merely our Savior and Lord; He is our one priceless treasure. No blemish is found in God’s works because there is no blemish in his being. “Who does no wrong.” God is not a mixture of good and evil; he is light, and in him there is no darkness. Our Rock is eternally and absolutely without fault, He is distinct from all sinful creation.
I must remind myself of the eternal and infinitely righteous God who redeemed me. I must hold myself to the scriptures that declare His right to govern and manage my life for His glory. The culture I live in will always compete for what I know is true about my Rock. God’s people have never lived in at time where their faith would not face the fires. Where their trust would not be tested.
In Joshua 24:15 At the end of his life, Joshua gathers the Israelite tribes and challenges them to make a definitive choice about their loyalty. His challenge makes it clear that there is no neutral ground; they must actively choose to serve God or the false gods of the surrounding nations.
You can’t have both! God will not share His throne in our hearts. But if we make Him our one Rock we can trust that, “All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.” Ps 25:10
No Other Rock
Of course I cherish all the names of God. They ring true time and again. But this one name has upheld me in the jouney that He has appointed for me.
Isaiah said to God’s people, “Do not fear, nor be afraid; have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” Is 44:8
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