The Rock of Our Salvation
For who is God except the Lord? And who is a rock besides our God? – Psalm 18:31
Dear friends,
Psalm 18, assigned to our daily readings for the second half of this week, describes God as our “Rock.” The wonderful imagery moves us to imagine God as a strong and unmovable rock; perhaps even a rock-hewn fortress against which no enemy can stand. But even more than imagery, Psalm 18 points us toward Christ himself, the Rock of Our Salvation. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, the Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians of God’s saving acts toward ancient Israel in the desert of Sinai, as he brought them out of Egypt and toward the Promised Land. He reminds them that God was present in the pillar of cloud that guided them by day, the pillar of fire that guided them by night, the manna that gave them “spiritual food,” (as well as physical provision!) and – get this – the “rock” that gave them water to drink. Both at the beginning of their Exodus journey (Exodus 17:6), and near the end (Numbers 20:7-11). Paul states in 1 Corinthians 10:4, “They drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.”
More than beautiful imagery, the Rock of our Salvation is the same Jesus who gave Israel spiritual food and drink, saving them in the wilderness. We were baptized in water from the Rock, when he brought us from death to life. We are nourished at God’s Table with spiritual food and spiritual drink, so that the same Rock who was with Israel, the same Rock who brought us to new life through the waters of baptism, may now be in us. As the Church – the Body of Christ – we are truly and genuinely “built on the Rock.”
This week, remain in Christ. He will lead and guide us. He will feed us his spiritual food. He has saved us and continues to keep us in him, the Rock of Our Salvation. Do not be discouraged, and do not be moved!
God’s richest blessings,
Pastor John
Daily Scripture Readings, August 23 – September 13
Sunday, August 23
Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-8 (Used in worship)
Matthew 16:13-20 (Used in worship)
Monday, August 24
1 Samuel 7:3-13
Romans 2:1-11
Psalm 18:1-3, 20-32
Tuesday, August 25
Deuteronomy 32:18-20, 28-39
Romans 11:33-36
Psalm 18:1-3, 20-32
Wednesday, August 26
Isaiah 28:14-22
Matthew 26:6-13
Psalm 18:1-3, 20-32
Thursday, August 27
Jeremiah 14:13-18
Ephesians 5:1-6
Psalm 26:1-8
Friday, August 28
Jeremiah 15:1-9
2 Thessalonians 2:7-12
Psalm 26:1-8
Saturday, August 29
Jeremiah 15:10-14
Matthew 8:14-17
Psalm 26:1-8
Sunday, August 30
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21 (Used in worship)
Matthew 16:21-28 (Used in worship)
Monday, August 31
2 Samuel 11:2-26
Revelation 3:1-6
Psalm 17
Tuesday, September 1
2 Samuel 11:27b-12:15
Revelation 3:7-13
Psalm 17
Wednesday, September 2
Jeremiah 17:5-18
Matthew 12:22-32
Psalm 17
Thursday, September 3
Ezekiel 24:1-14
2 Corinthians 12:11-21
Psalm 119:33-40
Friday, September 4
Ezekiel 24:15-27
Romans 10:15b-21
Psalm 119:33-40
Saturday, September 5
Ezekiel 33:1-6
Matthew 23:29-36
Psalm 119:33-40
Sunday, September 6
Ezekiel 33:7-11
Psalm 119:33-40
Romans 13:8-14 (Used in worship)
Matthew 18:15-20 (Used in worship)
Monday, September 7
Leviticus 4:27-31, 5:14-16
1 Peter 2:11-17
Psalm 119:65-72
Tuesday, September 8
Deuteronomy 17:2-13
Romans 13:1-7
Psalm 119:65-72
Wednesday, September 9
Leviticus 16:1-5, 20-28
Matthew 21:18-22
Psalm 119:65-72
Thursday, September 10
Genesis 37:12-36
1 John 3:11-16
Psalm 103:1-13
Friday, September 11
Genesis 41:53-42:17
Acts 7:9-16
Psalm 103:1-13
Saturday, September 12
Genesis 45:1-20
Matthew 6:7-15
Psalm 103:1-13
Sunday, September 13
Genesis 50:15-21
Psalm 103:1-13
Romans 14:1-12 (Used in worship)
Matthew 18:21-35 (Used in worship)