Christ, the Solid Rock

“The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory— for all its strength, it cannot save you. But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33:16-21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Military power and prowess is not what makes a nation safe, it is the hand of God! Having a strong, capable, and ready military force is part of a nations responsibility. However, more than anything, a nation must recognize the power of Almighty God as it's ultimate strength and protection. God is able to do things that we cannot do. In an instant, He can supernaturally intervene and turn the tide of any conflict. He could simply remove His hand of blessing and defeat would be ours. No matter what devices we develop or how well prepared we are, the blessing of God is the most critical factor in our endeavors. Whether personal battles or national interests, we must know that it is God that is sovereign! Should we forget this truth, we will suffer the awful consequences of our arrogance. True victory and success can only come from God! Sometimes we get intoxicated by our status in life. We get comfortable in our complacency and indifference. We become blinded by our prosperity and we suppose that things will continue to be this way. Often, when things are good, we become distracted and consumed by success which leads us to a place of indifference about the things of God! When we think we don't "need" His help, we become self sufficient. Throughout history mankind has proven to be stubborn and rebellious. Even God's chosen people, Israel, cycled in and out of sin. God's mercy would deliver them from enemy oppression and they would turn to idols for their worship. We are much like that today. We have created our own idols of worship. We bow before our material possessions, pursue monetary gain, and identify our success by what status in life we have achieved. All it takes is one moment for everything to change. One medical diagnosis, one unanticipated cardiovascular event, one accident, a natural disaster, etc. can drive us to our knees, even death. No matter how we view ourselves, we must fully understand that we are mortals. We are finite. We are needful creatures. Our dependence must be in the Lord God Almighty!!! Otherwise, we are sitting ducks. We are incapable of escaping the inevitable end of all human beings - death! There is only One who has the power to create and re-create. Jesus Christ is our help and our hope. An old hymn puts it like this: "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!