Psalm 18: God: The Rock

What do you think of when you hear "The Rock"? Perhaps you think of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the wrestler turned movie star with the crazy eyebrows. Or maybe you think of Alcatraz, the infamous prison outside of San Fransisco also known as "The Rock".

Why are Dwayne Johnson and Alcatraz referred to as "The Rock"? The term, as in reference to these two signifies power, might, unbreakability, wrath, steadfastness. The name is intended to induce fear and respect.

This use of the term "The Rock" came straight from the Bible and is used in reference to God. In Psalm 18 David refers to God as the "Rock" three different times. This is how he describes God in this Psalm:

    Then the earth reeled and rocked;
        the foundations also of the mountains trembled
        and quaked, because he was angry.
    Smoke went up from his nostrils,
        and devouring fire from his mouth;
        glowing coals flamed forth from him.
    He bowed the heavens and came down;
        thick darkness was under his feet.
    He rode on a cherub and flew;
        he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.
    He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him,
        thick clouds dark with water.
    Out of the brightness before him
        hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.
    The LORD also thundered in the heavens,
        and the Most High uttered his voice,
        hailstones and coals of fire.
    And he sent out his arrows and scattered them;
        he flashed forth lightnings and routed them.
    Then the channels of the sea were seen,
        and the foundations of the world were laid bare
    at your rebuke, O LORD,
        at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
(Psalm 18:7-15 ESV)

 Wow, what a picture of God! The might, and power, and wrath. He really is the ultimate "Rock". But we need not be afraid of God. We need not suffer His wrath, if we turn to Him, and accept His Son and the righteousness we have in Him. David follows this description of God by saying:

    The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness;
        according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.
(Psalm 18:20 ESV)

    With the merciful you show yourself merciful;
        with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;
    with the purified you show yourself pure;
        and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.
    For you save a humble people,
        but the haughty eyes you bring down.
(Psalm 18:25-27 ESV)

Make no mistake, God is to be feared. His awesome power and wrath should cause us to tremble before Him. But we can take comfort in Him if we submit ourselves to Him. Though He is powerful and wrathful, though He is "The Rock", He is also merciful and forgiving to those who love Him.