The Everlasting Rock
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Isaiah 26:3-4
3. Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee. 4. Trust in the Lord for ever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
The following sentence is a paraphrase from my walking buddy this morning: I have low expectations of people but high expectations of God. Isn’t that profound? And it’s not saying that all people are terrible, bad, worthless, or anything else derogatory. It simply states that people are people and people let us down – because, like us, they’re, well . . . people! God, on the other hand . . . well, where to begin.
Speaking only for myself, I have never been anyplace or through anything in life – literally, spiritually, mentally, in any way – where God had not already been, making a way, laying the groundwork, setting the path. Of course, I didn’t realize that at the time – and I had no way of knowing in some of those moments – especially the hard, painful, scary moments – that this was, in fact the truth. Looking back later, I could see it – have seen it. He was really there for the “good stuff” like the birth of my children, and the happy times I’ve shared with my family and my marriage and my children, and my friends and all the worldly “successes.” What I forget sometimes, is that He’s even there when I don’t feel His presence.
He hasn’t withdrawn His presence – I’ve turned my head away – I’ve stopped looking into His glorious face. And I know it at the time. Deep down; I know it. But, it’s about
me! And I want it to
be about me. I don’t want it to be about anyone else. Because I am weak and small, scared and broken, powerless and alone when it becomes about anyone else . . . and if it’s not about me, then I’m not being attended to, and cared for, and cared about. Do you ever feel that way? Aren’t we crazy (funny/crazy) creatures? We were created in the image and likeness of God. And seemingly from the moment we have an awareness of our own existence we do everything in our power to run from Him and His vision of us!
Why do we do that? Why? He is an everlasting rock! Why do we turn to everyone and everything else in our existence? Why can’t we just let God be God? Oops! There’s that writer’s “we.” I’m speaking only for myself. Sorry. And more than that – I don’t see others the way God sees them either. I don’t look at others and think, “Wow, God really had a good idea when He thought up this person.” I’m not talking about any particular quality in them, just in general. I’m so quick to judge and assume and maybe sometimes even condemn others. Because their very existence is a threat, I think. If they’re not perfect – maybe I’m not either! And it’s about
me! I’m not going to make any “New Year’s resolution” type promises. I’m am self-aware enough to know my own bent on sinning in ways that aren’t even obvious to others – in addition to the several which are! I have had this current revelation because of God’s handiwork in my life, once again. I spent a nice weekend with a friend at a Women of Faith Conference in Washington, D.C. And I kept wondering how she was doing – Is she having a good time? Is she sorry she came? Has this been a good experience for her? And that’s fine. It’s all good. I didn’t mind that at all. I wondered though how much was “sinking in” for me. Thankfully, God works in us even when we’re busy thinking about other things!
Apparently, God was busy in me! And the lesson of the weekend for me was: I have low expectations of people but high expectations of God. And 3. Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee. 4. Trust in the Lord for ever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. God is so very good! And I am so very blessed and humbled by His absolute refusal to “leave me alone.”
My prayer today is that you will rely upon the God of all ages, an everlasting rock. And that you thank him for the other imperfect people in this world, so you can be reminded of who it really
is all about!
Mary
