The Rock That Is A Firm Place to Stand

 The Rock That is A Firm Place to Stand
May 2015
Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie
Copyright

The other day, I was hiking to the top of a steep hill. I took a step upward and all of a sudden my arms were swinging around as I tried to get my balance. I am sure I looked pretty funny trying not to fall down, however, I just could not find a firm place to step. As I tried to gain my balance again, my other foot began to slip too.  Knowing I was about to roll down the hill instead of going upward,  I sat down to  to catch my breath and figure out what to do next. 

As I looked over my shoulder, I saw a great big rock. It was solid, huge and close to the top of the hill. “If only I could get to that big rock, I could make it to the top,” I thought. “The big rock I had my eye on was massive and the view must be magnificent,” I said to myself. “If only my feet were on that rock, my feet would not slip and I would have  a better perspective and view of everything.” 

I thought of the different times in my life when I felt like I was slipping with life’s circumstances, was going to tumble and fall and needed a higher perspective of my situation. Have you ever been in a place in your life where you feel like your feet keep slipping the harder you try? Have you ever felt stuck in your circumstances? Sometimes, all we can do is cry out to God for help and wait for him to direct the next move.

God  has a promise for you if you feel stuck or like life is slipping away. He promises that he is right there to help us. Psalms 40:1-2 says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” (NIV) Sometimes all we can do is sit down, just like I did on the side of the hill and wait on God for direction and the next step to take in a situation.

When we wait on God, we put ourselves in a position to be lifted up and our feet to be set on something firm. One of my frequent prayers is, “God help me to see this situation from your perspective.” My earth bound thinking is faulty at times and I need a higher viewpoint. The waiting time is a time of transition from the problem to the answer. I have a lot of great people in my life but God is the only one I can always depend on to help me and be there for me. 

Psalm 31:3 states, “For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.” (NIV) This is a powerful promise that I have clung to while I have waited on God.

Psalm 18:2 declares, “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, my stronghold.” 

I could not keep my eyes off the big rock on the side of the hill. It fascinated me as my thoughts drifted to how big God is, his constant faithfulness, and the reminder that he wants to be my rock in every situation I face. Will you join me in making God your rock and firm place to stand?

Kathleen is a native of the Hill Country and is a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping people discover their value and worth. Contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or visit her blog on www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com