Sure Thing: 3-Day Devotional With Hillsong UNITEDSample

SURE THING

Part Two: The Rock Fortress

“Through the wind and the storm

On this Rock I’ll stand”

—Sure Thing

Strength. Resilience. Safety. A rocky outcropping rises from the sea of uncertainty and disorder. This fortress provides a vantage point that reveals fresh opportunities that may have previously gone unnoticed. The rock shields you from the heavy winds that beat on your soul and the strong currents of society that erode the shores around you. Don’t get me wrong, they still exist. However, when we take shelter in the rock, we know that we can face the winds and currents with peace and certainty that others could never dare to dream of. 

Who is this rock? This fortress? In Isaiah 28 we read about the One whom God set as “a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation.” A cornerstone is a specially formed rock that holds the other stones together, giving a structure security, strength, and alignment. In the book of Acts, a man named Peter, a disciple of Jesus, is speaking to the council of religious and political leaders, and he says, “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.” He continues, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Those words, spoken over two thousand years ago, still hold true today. 

Jesus is the cornerstone that was rejected by men on earth, but now has been glorified. Friend, Jesus is a sure foundation and if you build your life on His words and principles, you will not be disappointed, forgotten, or destroyed. That same verse in Isaiah goes on to say, “the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” When you and I rely on Jesus, we rise above the panic and dismay that preys on the hearts and minds of humans, and instead, we find that our souls are filled with peace, comfort, joy, and renewed vision and hope for the days to come. 

Our God is El Olam, which means “God Everlasting,” He’s the God of our salvation and the fortress and strong tower that we can run to for safety. This fortress is not a magical place where all our problems and worries halt and cease. In fact, sometimes the storms rage with more fury because of the perceptions our cultures hold of the fortress. But when you run to the rock, you will be saved. When you seek the fortress instead of the kingdoms of sand, you will not be shaken or struck down with panic, you will rise above it all. Our prayer today is that you will trust Jesus, the Rock of your salvation and that His peace will guard your heart and mind in the ever-changing tides of our current world.

Reflection & Application:

Take a few moments to pause and still your mind. Have you ever truly trusted Jesus with your life? Many people profess to follow Him, but it is different to commit yourself to His ways and seek shelter in Him. Today is a great day to start. What is troubling you today? What is causing you to worry, doubt, fear, or resign yourself to the waves that are tossing to and fro? Choose in this moment to set it down and leave it behind. Choose to look to Jesus and find shelter for your soul. He loves you and wants a deeper relationship with you. 

Prayer:

Jesus, You’re the fortress that I choose to take shelter in today. You are higher than the chaos and madness around me and I put my hope, faith, and trust in You right now. I believe that You are good, You are loving and You have a plan that is greater than the best I could imagine. Thank You for Your faithfulness and mercy. Thank You for Your hand of protection on my body, mind, and spirit. Thank You that You have ordained my steps and that You’re making the path ahead straight for me. I praise You for what You’ve done and what You are yet to do. Amen!