The Rock of our strength.
Irreligious men have many "rocks of strength," or at any rate think that they have many.
1. "Some put their trust in chariots and in horses," believe in "big battalions" as really ruling the world, and think they have only to swell their armies in order to sway the course of events at their pleasure. Tell them that "it is nothing with God to help, whether with many or with them that have no power" (2 Chronicles 14:11); assure them that "it is no hard matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few, and with the God of heaven it is all one to deliver with a great multitude or a small company, for the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of a host, but strength cometh from heaven" (1 Macc. 3:18, 19); and they open their eyes wide with astonishment, and set down the speaker as a dreamy fanatic.
2. Others regard wealth as a tower of strength, a "rock" that will never fail them. Three things alone are wanted to secure complete success in life, and these are "Money, money, money." Their highest idea of perfect safety and security is "the Bank of England." No qualms of fear assail them so long as they have a good balance at their bankers. "Soul," they say to themselves, "thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry '(Luke 12:19). Tell them that riches make themselves wings, talk to them of failures, bankruptcies, revolutions, and they will laugh you to scorn; theirs are safe, they are quite certain, and that is enough for them.
3. A third class "trust in princes," or great men. They have a patron, a protector, a "friend at court;" and all must necessarily go well with them. Nay, perhaps they have "two or three strings to their bow"—powerful friends belonging to both parties; how, then, is it possible that they should not be secure? Christian men have, on the other hand, but one "Rock of strength," but one Trust, but one Stay, and that is God. God is their "Rock"—
I. As BEING FIRM AND IMMOVABLE. All else is shifting and changing. Men die, even though they be princes or primo ministers. Armies melt away, suffer defeat, mutiny. Wealth becomes the prey of the spoiler, is lost through fraud, or taken away by violence. God always remains the same—firm, solid, substantial; something on which we can count, something that will not disappear, that will not change, that we can rely upon as a sure foundation.
II. As BEING A STRONGHOLD AND DEFENSE. The Israelites looked to their fortified cities to protect them (Isaiah 17:9). The Christian looks to God. God's strength is such that nothing can prevail against it. He is an absolutely sure Defense, able to save men "to the uttermost." No one that has relied wholly and solely upon God, has ever found his reliance misplaced or his defense fail him. If we make God our Refuge, we place ourselves in an impregnable citadel. He is omnipotent, and therefore ever able to save; he is faithful, and therefore ever willing to save.
III. As BEING A SHADOW FROM THE HEAT, A SHELTER FROM THE TEMPEST. God not only protects but consoles, not only saves but comforts. He is "the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary land." When dangers threaten, when calamities come, when we are drooping beneath the noonday heat, or chilled by the pitiless storm, we can rest on him, and he will cheer us; we can make our appeal to him, and he will give us relief and refreshment. It is promised that, ultimately, "God shall wipe away tears from all eyes" (Revelation 21:4). Already he does this to a large extent. Not only is he our Defense and Stay, but he is a "Rock" that "follows us" (1 Corinthians 10:14) through the wilderness of human life, assuaging our griefs, taking away our sorrows, giving us shelter, comfort, satisfaction, peace, happiness. He is himself an ever-present Joy, possessing which, whatsoever happened to us, we should be content.
HOMILIES BY E. JOHNSON