{"id":784,"date":"2024-02-15T18:00:44","date_gmt":"2024-02-15T18:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=784"},"modified":"2025-12-16T16:55:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T16:55:45","slug":"run-to-the-rock","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/run-to-the-rock\/","title":{"rendered":"RUN TO THE ROCK"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

RUN TO THE ROCK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Timothy 4:7; Psalm 18:1-3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, let\u2019s study Gods Word together.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every year there is an historic race (a 1\/2 marathon) that takes place in the picturesque<\/strong> Northeast<\/strong>. It\u2019s held in September<\/strong> of each year, where several thousand people embark on a run that begins in Downtown Plymouth, MA\u2014and proceeds south into <\/strong>the beautiful Standish<\/strong> State<\/strong> Forest<\/strong>\u2026before turning northward and heading back towards the famous Plymouth Harbor Marina.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the famous landing point for those <\/em><\/strong>early pilgrims who had traveled from <\/em>England<\/em><\/strong> to the <\/em>Americas<\/em><\/strong> on a <\/em>66 day journey on the <\/em><\/strong>iconic <\/em>Mayflower. <\/em><\/strong>This week marks the anniversary of their arrival \u2014 on <\/em>November 9, 1620<\/em><\/strong>).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well this race<\/strong> has become something of a local tradition.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Described by past participants<\/strong> as a course with \u201cbig, rolling hills,\u201d<\/strong> the race presents numerous challenges \u2014 large declines and steep hills. The toughest challenge comes around mile 11<\/strong>, with a huge uphill stretch leading back into town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the intense climb, the runners finish by entering again into the beautiful Plymouth Harbor \u2014 where the famous Plymouth Rock <\/strong>stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, this historic race is called: \u201cRUN TO THE ROCK.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And I share that with you, because\u2026as exciting as that race may be \u2014 nothing compares to the race that you and I have been called to run. It\u2019s that which Paul<\/strong> references several times in his letters in the New<\/strong> Testament<\/strong>. In 2 Timothy,<\/strong> near the end of his life, Paul<\/strong> writes to Timothy<\/strong> saying, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Paul<\/strong>, this phrase \u201cI have finished the race\u201d <\/em>was not a boasting of his endurance or his abilities to navigate the challenges he faced, but rather\u2014 A TESTIMONY OF GOD\u2019S GOODNESS AND GRACE to protect him, provide for him, and empower him to accomplish his calling.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was really \u2014 a DECLARATION OF PRAISE<\/strong> unto God<\/strong> for His faithfulness. And, it\u2019s that same sentiment that we find in the words of David<\/strong> from Psalm 18.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you have your Bible, turn there with me. Psalm 18 was penned by the late great King David (somewhere near the beginning of his royal reign as King of<\/strong> Israel<\/strong>).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This psalm was penned early in his life \u2014 but some time after his battle with and defeat of the Philistine giant (Goliath). It also seems to come after his other battles with the Philistines army themselves. And even, those difficult years when he was on the run \u2014 from his future father-in-law (King Saul<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After 7 years in Saul\u2019s palace, David was forced to live on the run (in the desert) for another 4 years. And during those days, while running for his life, David discovered the benefit of RUNNING TO THE ROCK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOT PLYMOUTH ROCK, but another ROCK \u2014 \u201cTHE ROCK.\u201d The same rock, that Dottie Rambo used to sing about in her gospel song \u201cGo to the Rock.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of you may recall these words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I go to <\/em>The Rock <\/em><\/strong>for my salvation<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I go to <\/em>the stone t<\/em><\/strong>hat the builders rejected<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I run <\/em>to the mountain<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 and <\/em>The Mountain <\/em><\/strong>stands by me<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When <\/em>all around me <\/em><\/strong>is sinking sand<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On<\/em> Christ,<\/em><\/strong>the solid rock<\/em><\/strong> I stand<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I need a shelter, when I need a friend<\/em>\u2014<\/em>I <\/em>go to The Rock.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s a good one isn\u2019t it? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, <\/strong>this morning I want to encourage you to RUN TO THE ROCK!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, if you\u2019ve got your Bible <\/strong>\u2014 look with me at Psalm 18. David<\/strong> begins by saying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/em><\/strong> I love you, O Lord, my strength. <\/em>2<\/em><\/strong> The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. <\/em>3<\/em><\/strong> I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 18:1-3 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, this is a long Psalm<\/strong> \u2014 the 4th longest<\/strong> (at 50 verses<\/strong>), but I\u2019m only going to deal with these first three<\/strong>\u2026as they carry the heart and theme of this psalm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s here, that David<\/strong> reveals his view of life. As this psalm testifies: David<\/strong> refused to <\/strong>allow his challenges in life<\/strong> to shape his view of God.<\/strong>\u00a0 Rather, he chose to allow his faith in God<\/strong> to shape his view of life.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about you?<\/strong> What shapes your perspective in life? Your struggles or your faith in God?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When trouble comes \u2014 where do you go? <\/strong>I challenge you to GO TO THE ROCK! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like David,<\/strong> I challenge you\u2014look over your life with eyes of faith. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like David<\/strong>, recognize God\u2019s<\/strong> goodness<\/strong> and power <\/strong>and faithfulness<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, allow Him to be the Rock of your life!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You know, in ancient times \u2014 especially in deserts of the near-east, a ROCK<\/strong> was a welcome sight to travelers and sojourners. As we\u2019ll see this morning \u2014 the discovery of a large ROCK<\/strong> communicated thoughts of strength and stability<\/strong>, protection and provision<\/strong>, and much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in that light, David<\/strong> describes God as His ROCK<\/strong>. One who is immense<\/strong>, eternal<\/strong>, and immutable<\/strong> (unchanging).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, in these first few verses of this psalm, he tells us several things.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first of which, is that\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. GOD IS OUR GREATEST SOURCE!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notice again, in verse 1<\/strong>, David<\/strong> says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/em><\/strong> I love you, O Lord, my strength.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 18:1 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this was his way of saying that everything he needed, he found in God! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

David learned early in life to depend upon the Lord for everything he needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He opens this song of praise by declaring his love and appreciation for God\u2019s provision. While he may have been the King of Israel, a proven warrior, and a great general \u2014 even still \u2014 David knew His success was completely dependent upon God\u2019s empowerment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is such an important lesson to learn in life!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even on your greatest day \u2014 when you are at your best, your life is still an overflow of God\u2019s provision. His Grace, His Strength, His Empowerment\u2026these are THE real sources of your success and victories in life. And they didn\u2019t begin with you (or me). They come from God alone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul articulates this point (In 1 Corinthians 15), where he writes of his own success. But even Paul (who had done so much in life) didn\u2019t take credit for his success. To the contrary, like David, he too points to God as the source. In 1 Corinthians 15:10, he says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 <\/em><\/strong>But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them\u2014yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Corinthians 15:!0 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Romans 11:36, Paul pushes this idea further when he writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

36 <\/em><\/strong>For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romans 11:36 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God is our Source! He is the perfect and on-time source for everything we will ever need.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We all need sources in our lives that we can depend on!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A source is \u2014 the supplier of something that we can\u2019t produce on our own.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n