Coffee and Reflections

I finally think I have caught up on sleep...I mean after sleeping 11 hours two nights in a row, I should be caught up. Now that I am rested, I have had some time to do a little thinking. So, this morning I had a chance to curl up with a cup of coffee and my Bible.

I am assuming that the majority of you noticed the new look to my blog. I don't know how long it will last, but it was inspired from my recent trip to North Carolina. As I have shared, it was an incredible trip, and I am still working on processing everything.

Throughout Grandfather Mountain there were warning signs. Some of them looked like the one in the header. The majority of them warned about being careful near the ledge and watching your footing. I saw one that warned of the danger of feeding the bears. Apparently wild bears who are fed become a nuisance and often have to be "disposed of" by the state.

I found the warnings slightly ironic. This was mainly due to the fact that a good part of the filming occurred on the rocks. There was often someone near the edge of a cliff or a rock. Sometimes the drop was just a few feet while other times the drop off appeared to be several thousand feet.

Often while hanging out in these areas I was reminded of verses that call God our rock. Over the last several years I have begun to identify with verses of Scripture that refer to God as a rock, stronghold, refuge, etc. Needless to say, I have spent a good amount of time reading through Psalms. (Some of my favorites include Psalm 18:2, 40:2, 62:6.)

What does it mean for God to be our rock? God is our strength, our defense, our refuge, our salvation, our safety. In reading a couple of commentaries on the use of the word rock in Psalms, it talked about how there were rocks in Palestine that were used by men to escape their enemies. These rocks were elevated and difficult to access and many used them shelter, security, and protection from danger.

When God is our rock and our foundation, our lives change. He is unshakable and unchangeable. Yes, there are still ledges, storms, and high winds. Yes, we still have to watch our footing. We have to watch for the warning signs that God puts on our paths. But when the storms of life occur we have a rock in which to cling. A rock that cannot be shaken. A Rock that is like no other rock.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Isaiah 43:1-2

I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:1-4

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.
Psalm 18:33

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 40:22

(I also have some thoughts about that sign warning about the dangers of feeding the bears, but I will share that another day.)