{"id":1192,"date":"2010-07-25T01:21:17","date_gmt":"2010-07-25T01:21:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/07\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-how-could-god-be-a-rock.html"},"modified":"2010-07-25T01:21:17","modified_gmt":"2010-07-25T01:21:17","slug":"sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-how-could-god-be-a-rock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/07\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-how-could-god-be-a-rock.html","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling<\/em>: How Could God Be a Rock?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Praise the LORD, who is my rock.<\/b><\/p>\n

Psalm 144:1<\/div>\n

Psalm 144 begins with a call to praise the Lord, “who is my rock.” But what does mean to call God a rock? In what sense is the living Lord like an inanimate object? How could God be a rock?<\/p>\n

The use of the rock metaphor reminds me of a curious church sign I saw several years ago. A large sign proclaimed, “The Solid Rock.” Below, a subtitle added, “A Church Aflame.” That struck me as a rather odd mix of images. One doesn’t often see a burning rock!<\/p>\n

The Psalms frequently refer to God as a rock. This image emphasizes, first of all, God’s strength. A large rock is solid and strong, just like the Lord. Thus, a rock can provide security, a “fortress” and place of “protection” (Psalm 18:2). You can hide upon a rock when being pursued by enemies. Or you can duck under its cover to avoid the heat of the day or a soaking rainstorm. Thus a rock can serve be your “salvation” (Psalm 62:2).<\/p>\n

Of course God is much more than a rock. His heart is not stone cold. He is not without feeling or activity. God is, indeed, aflame with passion and power. So, when we think of God as a rock, we mustn’t let this image dominate our thought. This metaphor reveals something essential about God’s character, but it doesn’t begin to exhaust the richness of God’s multi-faceted being.<\/p>\n

\"laity-lodge-cliff-battleship-8.jpg\"<\/span>These days, when I think of God as a rock, I envision a large cliff across the Frio River from Laity Lodge, where I serve as Senior Director. I love gazing upon this giant limestone rock, partly because it feels so solid and strong. But I am continually impressed by the beauty of this cliff. It reminds me of the matchless creativity of the artist who formed it. Indeed, this rock reflects the very beauty and intricacy of God, as well as his strength.<\/p>\n

God is our rock, our strong tower, our place of safety, our protection, our salvation. He is all this . . . and  so much more!<\/p>\n

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:<\/p>\n

What images of God do you tend to hold in your mind? When you picture God as a rock, what does this mean to you? When have you experienced God as a place of refuge and safety? <\/p>\n

PRAYER:<\/p>\n

God of power and might, God of mercy and grace, you are indeed my rock. In you I find protection. In you I find salvation.<\/p>\n

How thankful I am, dear Lord, for your strength, and that you make your strength available to me. When I am weak, you are mighty. When I am afraid, you are my comfort. When I am exposed, you keep me safe. <\/p>\n

Yet you are so much more than a rock, Lord. You are alive. You are aflame. You are passionate. You are loving. You are kind.<\/p>\n

Help me, O God, to let the images of you in Scripture expand my knowledge and experience of you. May I be continually stretched by your Word to know you more fully and truly. <\/p>\n

All praise be to you, O God, my rock and my deliverer! Amen. <\/p>\n

_________________________________________________<\/p>\n

\"high-calling-screenshot-4.jpg\"<\/span>Would you like to receive a Daily Reflection like this one in your email inbox each morning?  <\/strong><\/p>\n

Here’s how . . . . <\/em><\/strong>
\nThis devotional comes from The High Calling of Our Daily Work <\/em>(www.thehighcalling.org<\/a>), a wonderful website about work and God<\/em>. You can read my Daily Reflections<\/a> there, or sign up to have them sent to your email inbox<\/a> each day. This website contains lots of encouragement for people who are trying to live out their faith in the workplace.
\n<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Praise the LORD, who is my rock. Psalm 144:1 Psalm 144 begins with a call to praise the Lord, “who is my rock.” But what does mean to call God a rock? In what sense is the living Lord like an inanimate object? How could God be a rock? The use of the rock metaphor…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sunday-inspiration"],"yoast_head":"\nSunday Inspiration from The High Calling: How Could God Be a Rock? - Mark D. 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Roberts","description":"Mark D. Roberts: Thoughtfully Christian Reflections on Jesus, the Church, and the World","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/1ff094a57b7e41f534434b1723df3d73","name":"Mark D. Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1192"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1192\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}