June 3, 2004

THE ROCK

"For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:4, RSV).

The metaphor of a rock is repeatedly employed in Scripture to describe God's redemptive acts on behalf of His people. "The Lord is my rock" (Psalm 18:2). "The rock of our salvation" (Psalm 95:1). The "shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isaiah 32:2). "The rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:2).

The apostle Paul presents a fascinating portrait of Jesus Christ as the Rock that followed Israel throughout its desert journey to the Promised Land (see 1 Corinthians 10:4). In this metaphor, Christ is the great spiritual fountain rock that provided fresh, life-giving water for His people in the desert. That spiritual rock is still the Rock that is following His people in their pilgrimage to the heavenly Promised Land.

The figure of Christ as the Rock is one of constancy, changelessness, and dependability. Every believer can rely completely on Christ, the solid and dependable Rock. His promise never to leave or forsake His people is confirmed in His permanence and reliability as the Rock of Ages.

Christ is always our rock in a weary land and a shelter in the time of storm. He accompanies us all the way, while increasing and multiplying His goodness and mercy to us. In our pilgrimage, we may pray the prayer of the psalmist, "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:2). In that Rock all our needs are met. "It was Christ... that caused the refreshing stream to flow for Israel... He was the source of all temporal as well as spiritual blessings. Christ, the true Rock, was with them in all their wanderings."--That I May Know Him, p. 23.

My Prayer Today: Lord, I seek Your shelter in this weary land. Amen.