The Only Rock

After the birth of her first son, Samuel, Hannah took him back to the temple, gave him over to God and prayed, “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.” The Lord himself echoed this declaration through the prophet Isaiah saying,

“Fear not, nor be afraid; Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”

Hannah put her hope and trust in God alone; He was the foundation on which her faith was built. David also clung to that same Rock and proclaimed, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge” (2Sam22). The Rock represents a place of safety, a place of shelter and a place of hiding. Throughout scripture we read of those who flee, like Elijah, to a cave, a place hewn out from a great rock.

When we are afraid, distressed or anxious, we can run to the Rock and hide within the shelter of His keeping. It is a refuge to which we can continually come and where courage is restored. We can trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock (Isa26). And when courage and strength return, we can stand on that same Rock with renewed confidence, for He is our sure and firm foundation.

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation! Psalm 95:1