Rocks can be very useful!

The Lord is the Rock whereby David‘s life was saved. In Ps 31, David outlines different disasters from which the

Lord saved him – enemies, physical illness, a conspiracy, & great terror.

Throughout all these trials, the Lord was David‘s Rock. A rock is permanent & not easily moved.

―Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock‖ (Is 26:4, ESV).

Because the wise man built his house on the rock, his home withstood the flood (Mt 7:24-25).

The Lord is the Rock whereby David‘s life was saved. In Ps 31, David outlines different disasters from which the

Lord saved him – enemies, physical illness, a conspiracy, & great terror.

Throughout all these trials, the Lord was David‘s Rock. A rock is permanent & not easily moved.

Thus, people often took shelter in the crevices of rocks during a war or natural disaster.

―Saul and his men went to seek him. And David was told, so he went down to the rock and lived in the wilderness of Maon‖ (1 Sam 23:25, ESV).

―Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty‖ (Is 2:10, ESV).

God provides great protection in time of trouble. ―The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he

knows those who take refuge in him‖ (Nah 1:7, ESV).

In this morning‘s text, David is struggling mightily & he asks the Lord to come to his rescue. Psalm 31:1-6.

Notice the greatly personal nature of this text.

―You are my rock and my fortress‖ (v 3, ESV).

Is that not one of the greatest teachings in Scripture?

God isn‘t just ―The Rock,‖ but he is ―MY Rock‖!

God cares about me & will come to my rescue.

David says much about God as he writes about ―Rock ‘N’ Role.‖

David says much about man‘s depravity when he writes about ―Rock ‘N’ Rival.‖

Rock ‗N‘ Rival

David expresses several different struggles throughout this Psalm. But, in the first 6 verses, he is concerned with his enemies. ―You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are

my refuge‖ (v 4, ESV).

―I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD‖ (V 6).

We don‘t know the identity of David‘s enemies. They seem to operate in secret.

Some seem to have been pagans.

Like David, we face a host of enemies.

Enemies are nothing new to the Christian. ―Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you‖

(Mt 5:44, ESV).

Paul knew a great deal about enemies. ―When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him‖ (Acts

9:23, ESV).

In Ephesus, Paul found an enemy in Demetrius, the silversmith (Acts 19:23ff).

Each of us has an enemy against whom we contend.

Perhaps that enemy is someone whom we love deeply.

―Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person‘s enemies will be those of his own household‖ (Mt 10:34-36, ESV).

You might have an enemy in your employer. ―Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not

only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust‖ (1 Pt 2:18, ESV).

You might be forced to endure a quite unjust employer.

You might have an enemy in a co-worker.

We collectively face the enemy of this evil world. There are many who seek to destroy the truth. ―Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not

confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist‖ (2 Jn 7, ESV).

How many deceivers are there in this very community?

There are many who seek to destroy all that is pure & good. Many ―walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is

destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things‖ (Phil 3:18-19, ESV).

How many times do we need to contend against such enemies?

Regardless of our enemies, the Lord is ―The Rock.‖

Rock ‗N‘ Role

As ―The Rock,‖ the Lord has a specific role that he fulfills.

The Lord is a Righteous Rock. ―In your righteousness deliver me!‖ (v 1, ESV).

The Lord‘s righteousness stands in sharp contrast to the wickedness of David‘s opponents. ―The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works‖

(Ps 145:17, ESV).

Regardless of what evil David‘s enemies carried out, the Lord would do what is right.

The Lord is a Rock of Refuge. ―Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!‖ (v

2, ESV).

―You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge‖ (v 4, ESV).

A refuge is where one can find safety in a crisis. The cities of refuge.

The Lord had been David‘s refuge over & over. ―The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from

the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine‖ (1 Sm 17:37, ESV).

When Saul attempted to take David‘s life, the Lord saved him over & over.

The Lord is a Redeeming Rock. ―Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me,

O LORD, faithful God‖ (v 5, ESV).

Inherent in the idea of redemption is release from captivity. That captivity often comes from the hands of one‘s enemies.

―Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies!‖ (Ps 69:18, ESV).

What‘s the point of all this?

We can find solace in God‘s righteousness vis-à-vis our enemies‘ wickedness. All evil comes from evil hearts. ―All that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of

the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world‖ (1 Jn 2:16, ESV).

―God is light, and in him is no darkness at all‖ (1 Jn 1:5, ESV).

We might face much evil in this world, but God always does what is right. God will keep every promise he has made.

Therefore, we can have assurance in the face of any enemy.

We can trust in God as our refuge in the face of our enemies. God doesn‘t remove evil.

Yet, God does protect his people from their enemies. ―I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and

after that have nothing more that they can do‖ (Lk 12:4, ESV, ESV).

―God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability‖ (1 Cor 10:13, ESV).

God provides redemption in the face of our enemies.

God will deliver us from all the evil we face in this life. ―I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not

worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us‖ (Rom 8:18, ESV).

Paul knew suffering & the suffering of this life doesn‘t compare with the glory that will come.

Is God your Rock?Do you have the assurance of glory this morning?