DAY 16 | The LORD My Rock

Adonai Tsuri (The LORD My Rock), my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
Psalm 18:2

Pronunciation Reference: יְהוָה צוּרִי

photography by Peter Forster / calligraphy by Rita Ip

MUSIC

PRAYER

The LORD, my Rock, I give You praise for who You are. You are strong, solid, and permanent. You are my firm and unshakeable foundation.

Jesus, thank You for being my spiritual rock. In times of trouble, You hide me in the cleft of the rock. When I am weak, You lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Forgive me when I forget to look heavenward and turn to other places for my refuge and security. In a fast-changing and unsteady world, and amidst every storm, remind me of Your unchanging faithfulness and grant me unwavering faith.

Because You are the LORD, My Rock, I declare I will not be shaken. While all other ground is sinking sand, I will set my mind on You and my feet on the solid rock.

A few facts…

In Psalm 18:2, there are two similar expressions: "The LORD is my rock" and "my God is my rock." In the Hebrew original text, these two expressions use different words to represent "rock":
- Sela' (סֶלַע) is usually translated as "cliff," emphasizing God as a refuge and protector.
- Tsur (צוּר) is translated as "rock," with some English versions translating it as "strength," emphasizing God's power, endurance, and reliability.
Rocks provide shade, shelter, and security, and they are used to build altars, temples, houses, and walls. In the Bible, rocks also symbolize many important meanings, including several examples related to Jesus:
- Jesus told the Pharisees that even if his disciples remained silent, the stones would cry out in praise. (See Luke 19:37-40)
- The stone covering Jesus' tomb was rolled away, symbolizing his victory over death and resurrection. (See Matthew 28:2)
- Paul pointed out that Christ was the "spiritual rock" that accompanied and supported the Israelites as they followed Moses out of Egypt. (See 1 Corinthians 10:1-4)

SMILE & BREATHE

Please try to find a quiet space, or consider using headphones to block out noise. Sit up straight, open your chest, gently roll your shoulders, and relax the tense muscles in your neck and upper back.

Smile, for no matter how turbulent the world may be, you stand on an unshakable rock.

Breathe in gently through your nose, focusing on His unwavering essence.

Hold your breath for a few seconds, expressing your gratitude to Him who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Exhale slowly, taking slightly longer than the inhale, releasing any feelings of unease or uncertainty from your heart, and entrusting them to Him.

You can repeat this several times to help yourself relax and return to a state of peace.

Exercise 1:

TWO-WAY JOURNALING

Journaling provides a pathway to understanding your inner world, enabling you to delve deeper into the roots of your thoughts and emotions. It grants you the opportunity to release what no longer serves you to God and create space for what matters to Him. Today, we will embark on a journaling session addressed to The LORD Your Rock. Allow Him to explore your innermost being and listen attentively to His voice. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, engage in a dialogue with Him and pen down your thoughts in your journal.

[Part 1]
Dear Father / The LORD My Rock, …
[Part 2]
Dear child / (your name), …

• You may tell Him about situations, people, or the things they do or say that make you feel insecure, unsafe, or vulnerable.

• You may tell Him where you usually turn to when you feel insecure (e.g. Netflix, food, alcohol, games, shopping, mindless browsing or scrolling, etc.) and how these choices affect you.

• You may ask Him how He wants you to manage your feelings of insecurity or inadequacy.

Check out Appendix 2 for more.

Exercise 2:

DECLARATION

He is The LORD Your Rock, your refuge, your shield, and your assurance. How does this connect to your present lifestyle? In your journal, compose a declaration that resonates with your current circumstances.

Because You are The LORD My Rock, I declare I can / I will / I am…

Recite your declaration aloud with conviction and strength. Allow it to permeate your being, becoming your new conviction and prevailing thought. While life coaches and self-help books may advocate for "positive affirmations" to counter limiting beliefs or negative thoughts, the declarations we create are far more substantial. They are rooted in the unchanging nature of God and the truths found in the Bible.

We have reached the end of Day 16 of HE. Thank you for accompanying me. As we conclude, my prayer for you is unwavering strength and resilience in the face of any situation. You are firmly anchored in The LORD Your Rock.