Between "The Rock" And A Hard Place

Between "The Rock" and a Hard Place

1. Has life ever dealt you a hard blow? Got any enemies? Limitations? (Don’t Go Anywhere!!!)

2. David had killed a lion, a bear and a giant as a young boy. (Invincibility of youth?)

3. David’s enemies had taught him his strengths, limitations and God’s character.

4. Age and experience ought to make us wiser.

5. It is this same man who said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Ps 37:25 (KJV)

6. 2 Sam. 22 is actually a Psalm and is found in Psalm 18

In it David shares the solutions to three major problems we all face. (1st the PROBLEM then David’s SOLUTION)

[He uses three (3) metaphors in three (3) different ways in verses 2 and 3.]

1- First Problem: Things Tend to Become Unstable. (Volatile, Unsecured)

1- Things degenerate – not visa versa.

2- Just when you think you have got a grip – POW! (Like carrying nitro glycerin)

3- To realize just how much you need an anchor you need the stress of a storm.

1. If you aren’t anchored – you drift.

2. If you are anchored to the wrong thing you drift with it.

3. When you are anchored to the ocean floor you only go where the ocean’s floor goes!

4- ANSWER: “The Lord is my Rock”.

2- Second Problem: No One Can Stand the Constant Stresses of Life Alone.

1- Life is much like ocean waves, if you get knocked down they won’t stop to let you get your breath.

2- We all need a “safe place” and place to hide.

3- Things that “seem” to give us a break often deceive us. (ie. Drugs, alcohol, sex)

4- ANSWER: “The Lord is my Fortress” (stronghold – fort – bastion – hiding place)

3- Third Problem: We Get in too Deep to get Ourselves Back Out.

1- Knowing how to get into trouble come naturally!

2- No practice needed but the more we practice the better we get at it!

3- I need a “rescue”.

4- ANSWER: “The Lord is my Deliverer”. (Sometimes comes like a Mother Giraffe’s)

Ps 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. (KJV)

Those who have placed their faith in Christ need not fear because the worst thing that could ever happen already has. Our sins have been judged.

The best thing that could ever happen is yet before us. We will make heaven our home.

What about the person who does not have a relationship with the Lord? (“Normals”)

Describe the distance between the terms “the Rock” and “My Rock” etc.

Action:

1- Ask the Lord to be “Your Rock”!

2- Ask the Lord to be “Your Fortress”!

3- Ask the Lord to be “Your Deliverer”!