RUSSELL SANDERS

2-8-2024

GOD – OUR ROCK

__________________

Genesis chapter 32 gives us the Song of Moses, a song of praise, instruction, and inspiration. It came just before Moses’ departure from this earth. The song speaks of God as a Rock. It also refers to the pagan gods as rocks. In this sense, the Hebrew word for rock (tsûwr, Strong’s 6697) means a divine supreme being. The rock imagery is that of a large boulder, or a sharp cliff in a general sense. Figuratively, it means a refuge and implies strength.

In Genesis 32:18 it speaks about the God of Israel as “the Rock that begat thee.” It is He who created us in the womb. As for the strength of this Rock, He gives us power to put a thousand enemies (vs. 30) to flight, or two of us to chase down ten thousand.

Verse 31 says that the rock [gods] of the pagans cannot compare to our Rock. [Also verse 37.]

The New Testament then affirms that Jesus is that Rock (Petra, Petros) upon which the church is built. Jesus speaks of this in a conversation with Peter in Matthew 16:18. Some have thought that Jesus was calling Peter that rock, but that is not the case. Peter was just a “stone” and not the “rock.” Peter, himself, attests to that in his epistle, 1 Peter 2:4-9. He makes it clear that Jesus is the stone, or rock upon whom we build the church upon.

Jesus spoke the parable of two men who built a house. One built on sand and the other upon a rock. When the storms came, the one built on the sand washed away and collapsed the house. The house built upon the rock stood strong during the storm and the foundation did not give way. It held up.

The point of Jeus’ parable was that when we build our house, [the house of the Holy Spirit in Christ the solid rock] and face the storms of life, we remain standing in Christ. Those who build their houses on the shifting sands of humanity will not stand in eternity.   

Whoever builds their life upon Christ Jesus [our God] will stand even into eternity. Praise God Almighty for our Solid Rock!

Can you find the nine hidden faces?

TO READ MORE OF RUSSELL AND HELEN'S DAILY MESSAGES

CLICK ON THEIR NAME BELOW

RUSSELL

HELEN



HELEN SANDERS

2-8-2024

GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART

_________________

In reading the story of Samuel, we learn that he was the one that anointed the first king, Saul, to be the king of Israel. Samuel loved Saul, but Saul made many mistakes, and the kingdom was taken from him. Saul had the outward appearance of a king, being taller than most men. Yet, this did not make him obedient. He often did things without listening to God. You could say that he was not a man after God’s heart.

After the kingdom was taken from Saul, the Lord spoke to Samuel, who was not just a priest, but also a prophet, and told him to go to the house of Jesse. God had chosen a young man that would follow after God’s own heart. In 1 Samuel 13:14, Samuel spoke to Saul and said, “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.”

It was too late for King Saul. God was looking for that one that would follow after the Lord’s heart. Samuel goes to the house of Jesse, but reluctantly. In 1 Samuel 16:1, God spoke to Samuel and said, “…How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.”

Samuel goes, but his grief was so deep over Saul that he could not see spiritually what God was doing. He looked at Jesse’s oldest son, and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him,” but God said no, it was not him. Several other of Jesse’s sons came before Samuel and they were not God’s chosen one either. Finally, Samuel said to Jesse, is there anyone else?

Yes, there was. A young boy that was taking care of the sheep. His older brothers were warriors for King Saul, but God was not looking for a warrior. David, the youngest son, had spent much time alone with God taking care of his father’s sheep and communed with God. He had a heart after God. In the natural he did not look like anyone that should be king. But God saw beyond the outside and saw David’s inside, his heart.

Often, we put value on people for the way they look. People marry people for their looks, or their status. Often, they marry because of their money. But we should never determine our choices on these things. Is this person truly hearing from God, like young David? Is their heart right with God? How about you? Are you after God’s own heart? Do you talk to him in the midst of your daily work? Do you talk to him when you wake up, and speak to him when you lie down to sleep?  Do you respond to his voice and do what he asks of you?  If so, then he will anoint you, like David, to do what his will is through you. You are a person after God’s own heart.