April 8- The Solid Rock

April 8, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Deuteronomy 32:28-52; Luke 12:35-59;
Psalm 78:56-64; Proverbs 12:24

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus' name

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

~Edward Mote

Deuteronomy 32:28-52

Have you ever been to a Billy Graham crusade?  About ten years ago, I took my children to a Billy Graham crusade in St. Louis, MO so that they could see a living legend.  Billy Graham began his ministry in 1944 and is said to have brought 2.5 million people to a decision to follow Christ from his crusade work, alone.  Billy Graham has preached to more people in person than any other preacher in history.  One distinguishing factor in Billy's preaching at his crusades is the simplicity of his message.  Jesus Christ is the central theme of every sermon.  Billy Graham's success can be attributed to the fact that he focused on the "Solid Rock," Jesus Christ. Today's passage also deals with this "Solid Rock."

Today, we get the end of the "witness song" against the nation of Israel.  Let's go over the verses that talk about God being a "rock".  Here they are:

• He is the Rock; his work is perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. Vs. 4
• You neglected the Rock who had fathered you; you forgot the God who had given you birth. -Vs. 18
• How could one person chase a thousand of them, and two people put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the Lord had given them up? Vs. 30
• But the rock of our enemies is not like our Rock, as even they recognize. Vs. 31

This song portrays God as a Rock whose work is perfect, just and fair, who fathered the nation of Israel (and all who are born again) and gave them their birth, who is in control of both the victories and the defeats in our lives, and who is the God above all other gods. I Peter 2:6 describes Jesus as the Cornerstone of the Church, and Jesus is also called a stumbling stone upon which many will be crushed. 

If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you have placed your life on a firm foundation.  No trial or enemy can keep you from the love of God and His saving grace.  Is your life set on this firm foundation?

Luke 12:35-59

Jesus admonishes those who love and follow Him to be prepared for his second coming.  He wants to find his disciples busy doing the work of telling people the truth about God.  Slackers will be punished and good servants will be rewarded in the new heaven and new earth. 

Jesus says that he is under a heavy burden until he has endured the baptism by fire (crucifixion) that is his to endure in the future.  He indicates that his message of salvation through him, alone, will cause division and strife in families.  Jesus says that if you can predict the weather, you ought to be able to predict that the Messiah is right before you, showing you the way to Truth.  Why not settle the matter of sin and get your debt paid off prior to being thrown in jail?  This is Jesus' way of saying that we should accept His death as payment for our sin, rather than rejecting him and be banished from God's presence (jail).

Have you heeded Jesus' advice?  Are you a busy servant for God?  Have you accepted Christ as the Savior?

Psalm 78:56-64

This is more of the history of Israel.  Some of this history we have not gone over in our reading yet.  Stay tuned.

Proverbs 12:24

"Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave."  Jesus was essentially teaching this in part of his talk today.

What did you notice?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011