A Welcoming Rock

Be to me a rock of refuge,
to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

~ Psalm 71:3

Sometimes, the people in our lives are less than reliable. An unfortunate few will be so willfully through their own immaturity. Others will be struggling in their own seasons of hardship. Others still will be pulled away from us because of things we are not in control of – death, disease, natural disaster, transition, and simply the busyness of life.

But, there is no one person, no matter how well intentioned or spiritually mature, that can give us all that we need. Sometimes, remembering the richness that comes from Christian fellowship or the love of a good friend makes us long for the human connection, which indeed is a blessing, I think – God given!

But God alone is our source of strength. He is an unchangeable rock. This Rock is solid, unmoving, sure. And I, like the Psalmist, can continually go to him. He will never be too tired or too busy. He doesn’t run out of room or resources. And He already knows intimately the things I struggle with – the spiritual battles I fight. He alone can save me.

And so before I run to my friends or my family or my brothers and sisters (as beautiful as they are), I must turn first to God. When I run to Him first, I find that am always safe, always welcomed, and always loved.

“Hide me, O blest Rock of Ages, Till Thy blessed face I see; When the storm around me rages, Rock of Ages hide Thou Me.” (Brantley C. George)