2 Samuel 22:32 For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? David's experience of what Jehovah his God had been to him impels him triumphantly to contrast him with all other that men called gods. I. JEHOVAH ALONE IS GOD. David was thinking of the idols worshipped by the nations around, which had proved themselves unable to protect their worshippers from his victorious arms. The question may be asked as to all other idols, and all persons and things that men serve as if they were gods - self, wealth, the world, etc.: 1. Which of them has perfections like those of Jehovah? He is the living God, the everlasting, infinite in power, wisdom, and love; perfect in holiness and righteousness. To whom besides can such attributes be ascribed? "There is none else" (Deuteronomy 4:39). 2. Which of them has done or can do works like his? "All the gods of the peoples are idols: but the Lord made the heavens" (Psalm 96:5, Revised Version; comp. Isaiah 45:18). 3. Which of them can help their worshippers as he can? They are "vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain" (1 Samuel 12:21). 4. Which of them, then, is worthy to receive homage such as is due to him? Fear, trust, love, worship, obedience. Yet the unregenerate do honour one or other of these vanities more than God. They, as truly as the heathen, "worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever" (Romans 1:25, Revised Version). II. JEHOVAH ALONE IS A ROCK. 1. God is a Rock. A term applied to him by Moses (Deuteronomy 32:4), and afterwards very frequently, especially in the Book of Psalms. God is to those who trust in him what a rock, lofty and difficult of ascent and access to strangers, is to a people invaded by powerful foes. In him they find safety and protection. And as a rock is marked by strength, stability, and permanence, so God is mighty to protect, unchangeable, a Rock of ages, "an everlasting Rock" (Isaiah 26:4, Revised Version), a Refuge available through each life and for all generations. 2. He alone is worthy of the name. There are other persons and things which minister strength and safety to men. "Wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence" (Ecclesiastes 7:12), friendship also, and civil government and military force, etc. But none besides God deserves the name of a Rock. (1) They are limited in their worth; he, unbounded One or another of them may be a refuge against some dangers; he, against all. They may not be at hand in the time of most pressing need; he is always near. (2) They are feeble and unstable; he, strong and firm. (3) They are transient; he, everlasting. (4) They are dependent; he, their independent Source. All their fitness and ability to aid us is from him; so that, when they are of service to us, it is he that is showing himself to be our Rock. Then: 1. Accept thankfully the good they can do; but trust in the Lord alone with absolute and unwavering confidence. 2. Beware of resorting to God's gifts as a refuge from himself. From the thought of him; from the reproaches of a guilty conscience; from the penalties of his Law 3. If you reject or neglect God for others, bethink you what help they can give you when he executes his judgments upon you. (Judges 10:14; Jeremiah 2:28.) - G.W. Parallel Verses KJV: For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?WEB: For who is God, besides Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God? |
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