My God Is A Rock
How many times have I confused who is my Rock? Some might say a rock is a rock, but when it comes to God, there is a complete contrast between whom or what I trust in. The only similarity I can see between the two is the name. We might very well be deceived in this. My God is a Rock, the world only offers me its counterfeit rock. But mine is different.
How could one have chased a thousand,
and two have put ten thousand to flight,
unless their Rock had sold them,
and the Lord had given them up?
For their rock is not as our Rock;
our enemies are by themselves. – Deuteronomy 32:30-31 ESV
The world trusts its version because they do not know any better. It is a misnamed rock. Their rock, more often than not, deserts them in their hour of need. They call that the fickleness of life. Fate has a way of being tyrannical and self-willed. But by His very nature God is a Rock by His very deeds. He never forsakes those who have decided to follow Him. In my darkest hour He is more near to me than ever before.
He said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess. – Deuteronomy 32:46-47 ESV
His very words are life.
Even so, at His word, when it is time, it is enough for me to know that even my death will not be an accident.
That very day the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel for a possession. And die on the mountain which you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people. – Deuteronomy 32:48-50 ESV
Every circumstance touching my life and my death is wisely arranged by God.
This is what I need to share with those who want me to disciple them. Just as Jesus intimately called on a few, I too need to find a few to share what I am learning and experiencing as a disciple of Jesus.
And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. – Mark 3:13-15 ESV
There needs to be a time where those who want a closer walk with Jesus can commit to me and I to them.
What was Jesus looking for? What was the job description He had in mind when He chose these men who would be the primary front-runners of the gospel and church age?
Campus Crusade, known in the USA today as CRU, came up with a job description of sorts that uses the acronym S.T.A.R.T.:
Spirit-filled – Has put their faith in Christ and the best they can, are yielding control of their life to God.
Teachable – Willing to be taught new things, open to correction and wise counsel.
Available – Has time to meet regularly for discipleship and be a part of a church in some capacity.
Reliable – Follows through on items delegated to them, keeps their word, and upholds commitments.
Transferable – Willing to transfer what they are taught.
I would apply these to those disciples who would like to make other disciples, like I am willing to do, but not to a new believer, who is a disciple but not quite ready to disciple others yet.
So as someone who is willing to make disciples into a disciple-maker, is this S.M.A.R.T. list me? Do I fit this job description? Because before I can be a disciple-maker I will need to be a disciple who can be this person as well. Is God my Rock or is He only my rock?
Disciple 