The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted. Psalm 18: 46, NKJV.
Dear God, we bow low before You today, and ask that as we study Your Word, we will be convinced, that You are alive, and will be, forevermore! We rejoice in this truth, in the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
How good to know that our Redeemer lives! I do not know in what decade the saying, “God is alive and well. I spoke to Him this morning,” became popular. As I think back to when I heard it for the first time, I believe it was in response to the claim that God was dead. This bold and personal response, obviously, from a believer, brought great joy to my heart as a young person!
Our Scripture for today resounds with the message: God is alive! Just a day less than a week ago, that was the message that was on the lips of Christians everywhere! He is risen! He is alive! That is the message found throughout the Bible. In the beginning of the Hebrew Scriptures He is Creator (Genesis 1: 1); and at the close of the New Testament, He is the Mighty Conqueror (Revelation 1: 8, 18), who Is, and Was, and Will Be, forever – and holds the keys of death and the grave! Amen!
He is also our Rock! A rock provides a sure, and sturdy foundation, upon which we can build! The songwriter put it this way:
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness” (Edward Mote). In Deuteronomy 32, Moses refers to Him as “the Rock” (4); “the Rock of . . . salvation” (15); “the Rock who begot you” (18); “our Rock, (31). Samuel called Him “the Rock of Israel” (2 Samuel 23: 3). To the psalmist He is “my strong Rock” (Psalm 31: 2; ); “the Rock that is higher than I” (61:2); “the Rock of my strength” (62: 7); “the Rock of my salvation ” (89: 26); “the Rock of my refuge” (94: 22). The prophet Isaiah refers to Him as “a rock of offence” (8: 14); “the Rock of thy strength” (17: 10). Paul refers to Him as “that spiritual Rock” (1 Corinthians 10: 4); and “a stumbling stone and rock of offence,” and so did Peter (Romans 9: 33; 1 Peter 2: 8). Jesus referred to Himself in the following terms: “upon this Rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16: 18).
Because our God is Who He Is – we will never be able to fully describe, or, define, Him! Of one thing we can all be in agreement, and that is – He is worthy of our praise! Therefore, because He lives, and is alive forevermore, let us exalt Him in our praise and worship on this His holy day, and always!