The Solid Rock
Psalm 42:5-6
One summer, I climbed Mount Katahdin seven times. It is the highest mountain in the state of Maine and features several different trails. On the first climb, our small, ambitious group hiked the infamous Knife Edge Trail. It was amazing, spectacular, and at times terrifying. Focus and agility were required to complete this relatively tough trail. We were filled with a great sense of accomplishment after we finished this challenging hike.
Our lives are filled with rocky climbs, beautiful sunsets, difficult steps, and peaceful moments. Pause briefly and consider where you find yourself in this moment. How would you describe your current situation and various relationships? Your description may include positive and negative phrases. I encourage you to write each thought down. It’s okay to be honest because God knows every detail. He won’t be surprised or shocked!
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him — my salvation and my God.-Psalm 42:5 (ESV)
The Psalmist comes to the Lord and pours out the deep emotion of his heart. In Psalm 42, he points to Mount Hermon, the tallest peak in northern Israel. And declares, “I remember You from the land of the Jordan and the peaks of Hermon.” -Psalm 42:6 (NASB)
Friends, we need to identify the true source of our hope. There are days when we feel like we are hiking the Knife Edge Trail. We are afraid because every step we take may be fraught with trouble, despair, and even danger.
On a regular basis, we face situations and people that require godly wisdom, carefully chosen words, and kind actions to keep us from slipping and falling. Will we make the choice to set our focus on the Lord? He is the true source of our hope and security. Will we run to Him?
The words from a well-known hymn have been on my lips this week:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust on Jesus' nameOn Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
Head to Heart
We all experience days when we feel down or discouraged. On other days, we may just feel a little off-balance or disorganized. God’s Word provides guidance along this life path to remind us of the true source of our hope. The Psalmist declares his hope is in God. The Lord wants us to humbly come to Him and confess our need for Him. When we verbally express our hope in the Lord, our words will turn to praise for our precious Redeemer and His gracious work of salvation in our lives. You are the solid rock and our source of hope. We praise Your holy name!
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