ONLY ONE DESERVES THE NAME "THE ROCK."

THE ROCK    Names of God # 8

When I googled the question "who is the rock?" Dwayne Johnson came up. The successful American Actor/Producer, former college football player and wrestler is nicknamed the Rock. His 121 million Instagram followers tune in to whatever he posts as if he a rock to lean upon. Though built like a brick house, I assure you he is a mere mortal like the rest of us. He will live. He will die. And the only question that really matters for any of us is … do we know the true "ROCK?"

After many long years of waiting for a child in a culture that shunned a barren woman, Hannah prayed these words.1 Samuel 2:2 says, "There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; There is no Rock like our God." _NIV In joy she dedicated her son to the Lord fully understanding who the true Rock was, the only One trustworthy and powerful enough to answer her prayers.

The name Rock, in reference to God, does not refer to a small stone but a huge formation as depicted in the above picture taken in Masada. Large mountainous out-croppings are found throughout the land of Israel and are a symbol of strength and steadfastness from one generation to the next. To use the title The ROCK for God, describes Him as One who is dependable, reliable, faithful and mighty enough to remain that way.

FOR THE SEEKER OR THE SKEPTIC

How many people in your life could you depend upon to never leave you, or forsake you, as God promises in Hebrews 13:5?

People are not a rock on which to depend. The separation of death and the human condition called sin, render the ability to be a rock impossible. Parent's fail. Husbands or wives betray. Children disappoint. Friends move on. Loved ones die and leave us alone. Families disown. Pastors fall into sin. Politicians don't follow through. Churches fall short. And on the list goes. Acute disappointment follows the let-down of someone you truly trust. The sin of others causes pain and so does the unintentional separation of death.

The only true Rock is the One with enough power to never fail - God our Rock.

Call upon the only Rock. He is waiting to come along side you and hold you firm when the world crumbles around you. He is a wonderful strength on which to lean. He will rejoice alongside you in the good times and hold you up during the bad. He will smile at your joy and weep when you mourn. You will never walk alone.

FOR THE BELIEVER

Our Rock is amazing.

Let these next number of verses soothe your soul and bring encouragement into your week.

Meditate upon these verses and then get creative in your prayer time in the days to come. Call upon the different versions of the Rock that He is. Think about what it means to have a solid foundation, your house built upon the Rock. When trouble comes, as it does in every life, and the storms rage, these names of truth will hold you firm. Learn them. Memorize them. Believe them.

If you are currently in a hurricane, then hang onto our God the Rock. Pray these verses over your life. Believe in the Rock's strength when yours is weak. I promise you, He will see you safely through your tempest. You will emerge stronger than you have ever been.

Rock of my Strength: Psalm 62:7 "In God is my salvation and my glory; The Rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. _NKJV

Christ the Rock: 1 Cor. 10:4 They drank from the spiritual Rock that accompanied them, and that Rock was Christ. _NIV

Rock and Fortress: Psalm 31:3 "Since you are my Rock and my Fortress for the sake of your name lead and guide me." _NIV

Rock of Israel: 2 Samuel 23:3 "The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth." _NIV

Rock my Savior: 2 Samuel 22:2-3 The Lord is my Rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my Savior. _NIV

Rock of my Refuge: Psalm 94:22 "But the Lord has been my defense, And the Rock of my refuge. _NKJV

Rock of my Salvation: 2 Samuel 22:47 "The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, the Rock of my Salvation! _NKJV

In the above Scriptures printed in Italics, there are 18 different names of God referenced. Can you find them? God is so vast, so infinite, so creative, He has given us endless variations of His Holy name in which to converse with Him. Each name is exciting to learn. Like the construction of a puzzle, each piece reveals God's amazing character. Let's put this masterpiece together, one name at a time. Join me each Monday for your weekly Name of God.

So far we have:

_{1) Elohim-God - October 1, 2018}

_{2) Abba Father - October 15, 2018}

_{3) El Shaddai - October 22, 2018}

_{4) The Truth - October 28, 2018}

_{5) The Alpha & Omega - Nov. 5, 2018}

_{6) Jehovah-Shalom - Nov. 12, 2018}

_{7) God of All Comfort - Nov. 19,2018}

_{8) The Rock - Nov. 26, 2018}