Day 6: THE ROCK

BLESSING FOR COUNTING THE OMER:

Baruch ata Adonai, ELOHEYNU melech ha-olam, asher kiddeshanu bidvarecha v’tzi-va-noo al sifeerat ha-omer. 

Blessed are you, O Adonai our GOD, King of the universe Who has sanctified us by your Word and commanded us concerning the Counting of the Omer.

Today is six days of the Omer.

“ADONAI lives!  And blessed be my Rock!  Exalted be God – the Rock of my salvation!”

 II Samuel 22:47

Chapter 22 of II Samuel is read on the 7^th day of Passover.  Psalm 18, nearly identical to this passage is a majestic song written by King David to HaShem with abundant gratitude and praise for His perfect faithfulness, covenant love and victorious deliverance from all of David’s enemies.  David declares ‘ADONAI is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer.’ II Samuel 22:2. From his youth, David trusted in HaShem as the source of his life, strength and wellbeing.  He grew in relationship, through instruction and understanding of HaShem’s attributes and Ways of Holiness.  As David poured out the depths of his heart in song, ‘the Rock’ was at his side in every circumstance, trial and victory!  The ‘Psalms of David’ uniquely reflect the deep connection and personal relationship between HaShem and David.

Throughout the scriptures and writings of the psalms, God is referred to as ‘the Rock’.  ‘The Rock of my salvation’ is identified as Messiah Yeshua (see also 1Cor 10:4).   What do rocks symbolize?  Rocks symbolize:  strength, a stronghold, protection, a refuge, stability, steadfastness, even beauty…

What does it mean to consider God as ‘the Rock’?  As we turn our hearts and minds to Him in complete repentance and submission, seeking His face with our love and complete trust, HaShem becomes the peace that truly ‘surpasses all understanding’ (Phil 4:7), certainly needed in these days of great deception, worldly distractions and confusion.  We can be assured He is walking with us at all times. He desires for us to pursue Him, personally relate to him with our entire lives, nothing hidden, listening for His voice to instruct us in His mighty yet gentle, holy, unchangeable ways.  We can know He ALWAYS hears our cry, as well as our shouts of joy!  We run to Him in times of trouble, knowing we are safe as He upholds us and provides our every need.  HaShem was EVERYTHING to David, his entire life was deeply rooted in the One True God, Creator of the Universe -- heart, mind, soul and body. 

“My soul, wait in stillness, only for God – from Him comes my salvation.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress – I will never be moved.”  Psalm 62:2-3

In this time of Passover…as we leave behind all personal chains of slavery and idolatry from Egypt…may we consider David’s relationship to HaShem, desiring to please and seek Him in a much deeper way than ever before.  May we be strengthened, unshakeable, able to stand firm on ‘the Rock’ of salvation – Yeshua our Messiah!  We thank you HaShem for your Mercy, Grace and Truth as we meditate on Your Word, keeping our heart and minds on you and able to hear what you have for each of us.   May we GREATLY DESIRE to PROCLAIM YOU as ‘THE ROCK’ of our lives, our EVERYTHING!  

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, ADONAI, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  Psalm 19:15

CHAG SAMEACH