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God is a Rock: 9 Incredible Characteristics of God as Our Rock

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There’s no better time to cling to the fact that God is a rock and our salvation. There is an incredible amount of political issues, natural disasters, unprecedented crime, racial tensions, corruption, and breakdowns of the family unit. You get the picture. During turbulent times, we need to seek something steady to hold on to. A firm foundation in a world that is anything but firm.

Previous generations, even as far back as the garden of Eden, had their own share of turbulent times. They too, leaned on someone that is unshakeable, firm, solid and unchanging. God. God is our rock. He never changes, never shifts, is strong, dependable and always there to protect us from the troubles of this world.

(See below for a free printable of Bible verses about God as our rock and salvation, when you need it most)

Why does God say that He is our Rock?

woman standing on rock overlook; God is a rock

God Communicates Using Metaphors and Stories

During the times that the Bible was written, God would regularly communicate spiritual truths, including His love for His people, in terms they could understand. He used stories and metaphors to easily explain these principles.

Some examples include when Jesus taught that His followers were to be “salt and light” of the world.

He also referred to Himself as the “Good Shepherd”:

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. –

John 10:11(ESV)

The “Light of the World”:

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” -John 8:12 (ESV)

The “Vine”:

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. –

John 15:5 (ESV)

The “Bread of Life”:

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” –

John 6:35 (ESV)


The “Alpha and Omega”:

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” – Revelation 21:6 (ESV)

The “Groom”, while His church is His “bride:

Let us rejoice and exult
    and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
    and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

Revelation 19:7-8 (ESV)

In both the Old and New Testaments, we also find the writers referring to God using metaphors and often as God as our rock or the rock.

Why Is God our Rock?

Clearly, we know that God is strong, unmovable or shakable and a refuge for His children in time of need.

Moses wrote,

“The Rock, his work is perfect,    for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity,    just and upright is he. –

Deuteronomy 32:4 (ESV)

In the Psalms, we also read of God being strong and mighty:

Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty,
    the Lord, mighty in battle! –

Psalm 24:8 (ESV)

close up of Bible; God as a rock

the one who by his strength established the mountains,    being girded with might; –

Psalm 65:6 (ESV)

In most of the Old Testament references, God is not just simply described as a rock, but the Rock.

The Israelites knew that God was not just a source of strength and refuge, but He was their only strength and protection. He was their only hope, and their only refuge. His sovereignty is implied in these verses.

For who is God, but the Lord?
    And who is a rock, except our God?—

Psalm 18:31 (ESV)

For their rock is not as our Rock;
    our enemies are by themselves. –

Deuteronomy 32:21

We also read, about Daniel’s visions. In them, he saw the most powerful prophesied nations of the world (Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome) crushed by a “stone cut from a mountain by no human hand” This rock was, of course, referring to “the Rock,” which is God who will establish His eternal kingdom over the ruins of all others.

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.” – Daniel 2:44-45

More than just a symbol, God’s power, strength, protection, and provision as the Rock are also for those who believe in Him, His children.

God Is Our Own Rock and Refuge

David, as we know from the Psalms, often praised God for being his stronghold, deliverance, and protection.

I  love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:1-2 (ESV)

For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will lift me high upon a rock.

Psalm 27:5 (ESV)

When God’s people trust in Him, they find strength, courage and hope. They can rely on His love to give them the security of safety from anything or anyone else that may come their way. Without this faith we are left with nothing but our own efforts which will always fail us eventually because ultimately all worldly things crumble down around us when it matters most – when everything is at stake.

The Israelites often forgot this, or ignored this, and it led them into trouble.

You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you,
    and you forgot the God who gave you birth.

Deuteronomy 32:18 (ESV)

For you have forgotten the God of your salvation
    and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge;
therefore, though you plant pleasant plants
    and sow the vine-branch of a stranger,

Isaiah 17:10 (ESV)

God reminded His people of this when He spoke to Isaiah:

Fear not, nor be afraid;
    have I not told you from of old and declared it?
    And you are my witnesses!
Is there a God besides me?
    There is no Rock; I know not any.”

Isaiah 44:8 (ESV)

The Rock of Salvation

King David wrote extensively about what it means for God to be his rock. He described how he is a “steady refuge” and that the Lord sustains him, giving life and making beauty grow in every season of drought or rain.

Jesus is our rock; words with rock and Bible;God is a rock

King David believed deeply in God’s presence as shelter from all difficulty – this was why he called Him his Rock so often throughout Scripture:

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    
of whom shall I be afraid?

– Psalm 27:1 (ESV)

He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 62:2 (ESV)

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:2 (ESV)

When David said that God is a rock and his rock of salvation, he was probably recalling all the times that God had delivered him from physical harm. But there is also a spiritual component to being saved by Jesus Christ- those who trust in Him are able to overcome fear and insecurity through His death and resurrection.

Let’s a closer look at the attributes of God the rock.

9 Characteristics of God is a Rock

Rocks are Solid, Strong, Difficult or Impossible to Move

God is our rock that never changes, always stays strong and solid. He’s there for us when the world around us moves, shifts or even falls apart. When things around us change, we can seek Him for direction because He never will.

For who is God, but the Lord?
    And who is a rock, except our God?—

Psalm 18:31 (ESV)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. –

James 1:17 (ESV)

 

Rocks can be a Place of Refuge or Protection

God is our rock that will protect us if we are in danger or trouble, and he will hide us when necessary. God’s love for his children cannot be matched by any other being on Earth; He has a special concern to guide the most vulnerable people who might otherwise get lost in their struggle with life.

He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 62:2 (ESV)

Be to me a rock of refuge,
    to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.

Psalm 71:3 (ESV)

 

But the Lord has become my stronghold,
    and my God the rock of my refuge.

Psalm 94:22

 

stone foundation; God is a rock

Rocks are a Strong Foundation to Build on

Despite the fact that we may feel lost, God will always be our rock and foundation. No matter what storms come at us over time, he’ll never let us down or abandon his principles as a shelter for our lives to build on.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV)

 

Rocks are Eternal

God is the rock that will never change, no matter what. We can always count on God to be there for us and help carry our burdens when we need it most. He is everlasting.

Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. –

Isaiah 26:4 (ESV)

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.

Isaiah 40:28 (ESV)

 

Rocks can be Weapons

God is the one who can fight for us. The Bible, which is our ultimate guide and even weapon against evil, contains all of the prayers in it that we need to go to God with; just turn to him when you’re in a battle or against something tough!

Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
    who trains my hands for war,
    and my fingers for battle;

Psalm 144:1 (ESV)

You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.’ –

Deuteronomy 3:22 (ESV)

I love this song, by Phil Wickham, Battles, reminding us that the battles we face are not ours, but that God will fight them for us.

 

 

Rocks are Often Sharp and Can Cut Things

God is a sharp rock that can cut through the negative circumstances in our life and world. His word can be used to cut out things from inside of us, like toxic habits or destructive emotions.

When we are spiritually dry, weary and beaten down by life, the Lord is our rock that never fails us. He can cut through all of the darkness in our lives with His word to help heal deep wounds inside ourselves so they may not fester any longer.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

Rocks Can be Used for Building

Jesus is a cornerstone—a rock that joins together two walls. He bears the weight of our lives, binding us to God and joining all Christians as one, no matter what obstacles life throws at them.

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,”

1 Peter 2:7 (ESV)

 

Rocks Symbolized Provision

God is like a rock that provides for us in times of need. In Moses’ time, He caused water to come out of the rocks when His people needed it. He provides for us, too. He daily provides for our needs, as Jehovah Jireh.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV)

Rocks Can be Used to Sharpen Things

Do you feel like your edges are dull? Maybe that’s because God wants to sharpen them with His love. It is so important for believers to be grounded in the word of Him; it will make us stronger and more effective as followers.

God is our rock that will sharpen us and make us more effective. God’s rough edges give him an edge over other rocks, as he can cut away the unnecessary pieces of life; leaving behind a finer gemstone to be able to see how things work better for you in such a way that if you were just left on your own then it would take so much longer than taking his advice through prayer from scripture or reading one of his many books available today. With this knowledge we are less likely to stray off course because there is someone who knows what they’re doing guiding them every step of the way–and not only does god know everything about people but also about himself which means he never makes mistakes either!

How to Apply the Concept of God is Our Rock to Your Life Today

God is your rock; He will always be there for you.

A lot of people go through life struggling to maintain stability in their lives and often find themselves trying different things simply because it seems like a good idea at the time, but when they look back on these choices that were made without thinking about how beneficial or harmful they would really turn out to be, all too many times these poor decisions lead them down some pretty dark roads with no end in sight which can cause feelings of worthlessness leading into despair if not addressed early enough.

Luckily though we have God who never changes and can offer us this awesome sense of security that even after making bad mistakes he’s right there willing to help pull us up from our lowest lows by giving hope as well as His strength.

You don’t have to worry about a thing. God is your rock and he’ll never change, give up on you, or ever leave you!

  • Choose one of the characteristics of God is our rock that you need to cling to most right now
  • Choose a verse (you can use one in this post or from a concordance) that shows that same characteristic of God you need most right now
  • Write the verse in your prayer journal or war binder, or even on a simple note card
  • Pray the verse back to God and know that He will be that for you
  • Journal a letter to God about Him being your rock

He said,

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
  my
God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation,
    my stronghold and my refuge,
    my savior; you save me from violence.

2 Samuel 22:2-3 (ESV)

How has God been your rock? Which of the attributes of God our rock, do you need to cling to right now?

You may enjoy this sermon about Psalm 118, God is our Rock, by Calvary Chapel Ontario.

Click the image below for a free 5-page printable with Bible verses about God as our rock and salvation.

Bible verse about God is our rock

You may enjoy these recommended resources to dig deeper on the meaning of God as our rock:

God is a Rock: 9 Incredible Characteristics of God as Our Rock 1God is a Rock: 9 Incredible Characteristics of God as Our Rock 2

I’d love to hear your thoughts about God as our rock. Drop a comment below or email me at [email protected].

Because He Lives,

Sue

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DD

Sunday 2nd of April 2023

Thanks Susan for your exposition on God as Rock. Great writing!

Susan Nelson

Thursday 6th of April 2023

I’m so glad that it blessed you! Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Kendra

Thursday 23rd of March 2023

Thank you for posting. I really enjoy the blog.

Susan Nelson

Thursday 6th of April 2023

I’m so glad that it blessed you! Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Sherry Hunter

Sunday 7th of August 2022

This study on God is a Rock really encouraged me on today.

Thank you!

Susan Nelson

Monday 15th of August 2022

I'm so happy to hear that! God bless you and thank you for stopping by!

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