Gospel Reflections #1079: The Lord is my Rock

Psalm 18:2 ‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.’

This is a powerful scripture in which King David confesses his absolute trust and gratitude to God, using concrete imagery drawn from his gruelling struggles. It is a ‘hymn of thanksgiving’ he sang as he looked back on his past sufferings, after the Lord had rescued him from all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

David confesses that it is not his own wisdom or military might, but God Himself who is the source of his vitality and victory.

David repeats the word ‘my’ several times.

This is because he experiences God not as a distant being, but as ‘my God’ who is directly involved in his life. 

David is not praising God because he ‘had no suffering’.

These words arose precisely because he actually experienced God as a refuge amidst a harsh reality filled with the fear of death and betrayal. 

When we face the storms of life or enemies beyond our own control—such as anxiety, relationship issues or difficult circumstances—this scripture offers powerful encouragement: ‘Do not rely on your own strength, but flee to the bosom of God. God will be your stronghold and will protect you to the very end.’ 

We, too, can offer praise like David’s—not when God answers every prayer and grants our every wish, but when we experience Him granting us peace and hope in the midst of ultimate suffering and sorrow, and realise that He is always with us, no matter what.

Our victory is granted through God’s power and by remaining steadfastly at His side.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.