Restore My SoulÖrnek

A Rock to Stand On

The tide was high, and the 20 mph winds whipped waves, fierce and salty up to my daughter’s and my knees as we climbed jagged rocks along the shore to get to a more secluded patch of beach. Each wave that hit made us wobble.

We carefully timed our movements along the rocks to go only in the moments of still between the waves. Then we’d freeze as the waves crashed against us and the rocks, flinging seaweed, shells, and driftwood toward the shore. But even though the water seemed like it was alive and had the force to move just about anything in its path, it could not move those rocks. They stood firm with every passing wave.

Jesus tells us He is our rock that we can build our lives upon.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t often find myself clinging to rocks on the shoreline. However, I do find myself getting whipped and blown about by responsibilities, expectations, setbacks, disappointments, rejections, ailments, and worries. Jesus tells us whatever comes at us won’t knock us down, not if we listen to Him.

And even when we slip on the muck or mud or mire—whether we venture out too far for our own good or take a misstep or get shoved into a pit, Jesus is there when we cry out to Him, pulling us back up to our feet, putting us back on the rock that is Him, giving us a safe place to stand.

Life in this world can be hard. Jesus doesn’t promise us all unicorns and rainbows. King David, the author of Psalm 40, saw this firsthand. He states, “troubles without number surround me! (v.12).” David goes on to say in this Psalm there are people who want to take his life and put him to ruin. But even in the midst of his trauma, David claims “You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God (v.17),” believing with all his heart that God can and will save him.

I don’t know what you’re facing today, but I do know that Jesus wants to help. He wants to deliver you from anything frightening or out of your control. He wants only goodness for you. Call out to Jesus with your problems, fears, and concerns. Tell Him everything that has you shaky or worried. Take His hand. He’s reaching out to you. And He’ll pull you back to safety, to a life with Him that is secure and rock-solid no matter what comes your way.

Read Matthew 7:24-27

Read Psalm 40