All this month we are exploring the depths of "Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). This week we rejoice that the Spirit within is the Rock of stability!
Psalms
105:41, KJV HE (the Lord) opened the ROCK, and the waters gushed out;
they ran in the dry places like a river (compare Deut. 8:15).
1
Corinthians 10:4, KJV And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for
they drank of that spiritual ROCK that followed them: and that Rock was
CHRIST.
Last
week we talked about the River from the Rock. This week we want to look
closer at the One known as the "Rock of Israel” (2 Sam. 23:3). The
Psalmist said much about Christ, the Rock of our stability; his
personal testimony was that the Lord is:
1. "The Rock of my STRENGTH” (Psa. 62:7).
2. "The Rock of my SALVATION” (Psa. 89:26; 95:1).
3. "The Rock of my REFUGE” (Psa. 94:22).
The hymn-writer knew this well: "On CHRIST the solid ROCK I stand; all other ground is sinking sand (Matt. 7:24-27).”
Our
STABILITY is in and by the Spirit. "Christ in you” is the Source of our
being "ESTABLISHED” in the Lord. The primary Hebrew word for this
means, "to be erect (to stand perpendicular); to be firm, to be stable;
to be fixed, to be securely determined; or to be settled.” Those who
know the secret of Christ within are firmly anchored like a pillar,
established in His grace and love (2 Sam. 7:16; Psa. 40:2;
89:2,4,21,37; 93:1-2).
The Greek word for "ESTABLISHED” is sterizo,
and it means, "to set fast, to turn resolutely in a certain direction,
or (figuratively) to confirm; to make stable, to place firmly, to fix,
to strengthen, or to make firm (Rom. 1:11; 16:25; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Pet.
5:10).” It is derived from the word sterix (a prop)—the Lord is our Support and Stay.
David
ran to Rock that is "higher” (Psa. 61:2)—in the time of trouble, who do
you run to? What is the source of your strength? What props you up? The
Christ within is also your Teacher and Guide (Jn. 14:26; 16:13; 1 Jn.
2:27). Do you understand His Word? Has He "established” you in the
"present truth” (2 Pet. 1:12)?
Deuteronomy
32:4, KJV He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are
judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.
The
Rock that followed God's people throughout their wilderness pilgrimage
sprang up every morning with refreshing strength for the journey. Is He
your Rock?