The psalmists of old seemed to have a favorite metaphor for God: Rock. You’ll find the imagery used twenty-nine times. Sometimes the writers included reasons why this was a meaningful comparison for them; sometimes they included synonyms:
- “The Lord is my rock, my fortress” (18:2)
- “My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield . . . my stronghold” (also 18:2)
- “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (61:2)
- “God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe” (62:2 CEV)
- “Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come” (71:3 NASB)
David seemed especially fond of this metaphor, perhaps because he spent months hiding from King Saul in the rocky terrain of the Judean wilderness. Psalm 57 was written specifically when he escaped into a cave. It may have been the characteristics of the rock walls surrounding him that brought to mind descriptors of God—solid, strong, protective, and unchanging.
“Be the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2)?
Later when he became king, David composed Psalm 18, probably after the numerous battle victories summarized in 2 Samuel 8. Four times in that psalm he extolled God as his Rock.
In the New Testament we find Jesus’ parable about a foolish man building his house on sand, and a wise man building his house on rock. The point is clear: God is a reliable foundation-Rock on which to build our lives. He provides:
- solid, trustworthy wisdom for decisions
- strength and power for life’s challenges
- protection from our arch enemy, Satan
- unchanging reliability, faithfulness, and love—to name a few unfailing attributes
like a person who builds a house on solid rock” Matthew 7:24.
(House in Meteora, Greece.)
One of my favorite examples of Bible imagery is found in Philippians 2:15. To understand the context though, we have to start reading at verse fourteen:
Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
so that you may become blameless and pure,
children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.
Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
as you hold firmly to the word of life.
–Philippians 2:14-15 NIV
Isn’t that a glorious statement in the fourth line above? We can shine into the darkness of the world like stars as we allow the Spirit to foster purity within us!
Now why would letter-writer Paul choose stars to make his point? Perhaps their beauty reminded him: with kindness, patience, joy, and more we can bring beauty to the world around us–a world darkened by selfishness, greed, and hatred.
Paul would also have known about using stars for navigation. As far back as 3000 B.C. ancient Minoans were using constellations to navigate the Mediterranean Sea (1). Perhaps Paul connected the starlight to God’s wisdom shining in mature believers, enabling them to provide guidance to those around them.
But now, centuries later, we know more about stars than Paul did and further comparisons can be drawn:
Stars shine by burning hydrogen into helium in their cores. We shine as the Holy Spirit burns away the dross in our lives—those unbecoming traits like pride, negativity, and ingratitude. That’s when we can become radiant.
One prominent star in the evening sky of Fall and Winter is Deneb in the constellation Cygnus (the Swan), which is 19 quadrillion miles from earth. The gleam we see left Deneb about 1500 light years ago in 521 A.D (2). The gleam of our lives can also achieve far-reaching effect as one life touches another which touches another, and then another . . . ad infinitum.
Stars not only create beauty but fulfill function. They manufacture and distribute into the universe such elements as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen (3). As we shine like stars in our circles of influence, we too fulfill function, manufacturing and distributing such elements as goodness, encouragement, and helpfulness.
From earth and sky come these two insightful examples of biblical imagery: rock and stars.
Do you see the connection between the two? As you plant yourself on the firm Rock of Almighty God and shine for him like a star . . .
. . . YOU are a Rock star!
Notes:
- https://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/navigation/
- https://earthsky.org/space/ten-things-you-may-not-know-about-stars/
- https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/how-do-stars-from-and-evolve
Photo credits: http://www.hippopx.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.wikimedia.org (2); http://www.pixfuel.com; http://www.maxpixel.net; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.maxpixel.net.
From the Inside Out 
A rock star . . . Love this, Nancy, and didn’t see it coming. 🙂 Yes, if our foundation is on the solid Rock of God, we are sure to shine like stars for Him in all the world. It’s so comforting to think that our one act of love, encouragement or caring can have infinite impact on others that will live on and on.
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. Glad to provide a little fun surprise for you this afternoon! It IS a comfort to know our small acts of kindness can actually provide great impact–with God as the Enhancer of our efforts!
thank you Nancy for putting together the rock and star connections. “Rock Star” love it. “Not as the world gives, give I unto you” (I dub thee rock star!?)
So glad you liked the rock and star connection, Gary. I love your “dub thee rock star!”
Rock star…wonderful thought. He is my rock and may He shine through me! Thank you, Nancy.
You’re welcome, Pam! With you I pray that God may shine through me.
love this imagery and so inspirational!
Thank you, Jean. It’s my delight to provide inspiration for you, as you do for me!
I love that from our inner struggles we burn, then shine in a dark world ♥️
You’ve brought to mind 1 Peter 1:7, Donna: “Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns” (CEV). Isn’t that amazing–we can give to our Heavenly Father something that is worth more then gold–our faith!
Amazing is right, that we will be praised for faith… Which is truly given us to begin with. God is such a puzzle, yet all the pieces point to love. Thank you for sharing this verse♥️
You’re welcome, Donna!
Nancy, that image of God as Rock has been very calming and sustaining especially in the past few years. When all around us has morphed and changed, sometimes drastically, He has been solid, secure, and unmoveable.
What a Savior!
AMEN. Linda! If it weren’t for my reliable, faithful God, who has proved himself over and over, I would find it difficult to sleep these days, I’m sure!
This is such an insightful post, Nancy! I love all the star analogies and smiled at the thought of a Rock star! Puts a whole new spin on the term. 🙂
Thank you, Carlie. Delighted I could put a smile on your face!
Hi Nancy, Thank you again for posting about the stars and God being our rock. I have always enjoyed being in the mountains. We can hide in the Cleft of a rock… God is our rock. I was thinking about how a rock can sometimes make a comfortable bed for us like it did for Jesus. He never had his own home but he had the stars to look at when he laid his head down to sleep. I once found a place in the rocks to lay down and although it was a large rock in the mountains, it was comfortable. Something about stars and the mountains that is comforting as is the thought of God protecting us no matter where we are. If he chooses to take us home we are truly safe in Him. Sam
I can’t imagine being comfortable on a rock-bed, Sam, but very glad you could be! Being out in God’s creation can certainly provide a sense of his comfort. You’ve probably read here before Michael Hyatt’s term for the outdoors: God’s living room. I love that, and mention it frequently! That does help explain why the stars, mountains, forests, waterfalls, etc. offer us solace. (I suppose a caveat is necessary however: The sighting of a bear, mountain lion, or poisonous snake would definitely interrupt the peace! : ) )
“You are a rock star.” Oh Nancy, your facts about the universe coupled with the facts of the Word of God are a marvelous compilation.
It occurred to me that when stars were used for navigation way back in 3000 B.C. that today, as we “shine like stars” we can also help others ‘navigate’ their way to Christ.
Thanks as always for this inspiring post!
Love that, Jody–helping others navigate toward Christ! And as the body of Christ, all of us believers can make a colossal constellation as we each shine our best (Matthew 5:16)!
These verses spoke to me:
‘Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
so that you may become blameless and pure,
children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.
Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
as you hold firmly to the word of life. (Philippians 2:14-15 NIV’
Regarding the fourth line, I pray that the Holy Spirit guides me every single hour to be a light in the darkness of our world. That is our purpose at we linger here on earth! To be that guiding star, a reflection of our Savior, an example that attracts the unsaved to accept Jesus before it is too late.
Also, I too, loved the ‘rock star’ term!
AMEN, Cheri. I too pray we may attract unbelievers to Christ before it is too late!
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