Resting on a Rock

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken

Psalm 62:2

Where did this come from? Maybe it’s a meteorite! 

We’d donned boots, gloves and pruning nippers to explore a deer path through the woods. My brother had just purchased the land we were curious to explore. We discovered the surprise just beyond a small clump of trees—the meteorite, or, more likely, an ordinary iron ore boulder. This one, though, was gigantic and resting awkwardly on top of the ground. 

I thought of this boulder recently as I read and re-read He along is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken. A return visit to the site of our mysterious rock allowed me to examine it more closely. I excavated a pocket of mud on the boulder’s top to create a bird bath from the coming spring rains. Removing the surrounding thorns and branches allowed me easy access for meditation. While sitting there, I reminded myself that God alone is my rock.  

David found safety among the Judean hills and caves as he hid from King Saul. History is replete with wartime stories of refugees hiding in caves and among boulders. I’ve seen the caves on the side of Mt. Arbel by the Sea of Galilee where Jews hid from invading Roman soldiers. Scribes hid the famous Qumran Scrolls in clay jars in caves by the Dead Sea to protect them from the Romans. There’s something strong and steady about such hiding places in unsure times. Stability. Strength. Protection.

A boulder, though, does not protect from viruses or cancer or broken hearts. Only God can do that. He is our true rock —the rock of steadfastness when things around us seem to quake. Run to Him as the ultimate source of strength. He will never fail.  

Linda Les