“It’s true God struck the rock and water gushed out like a river, but can he give his people bread and meat?” (Psalm 78:20, CEV).

Remic Rapids Park, Ottawa, ON, balanced rock sculptures by John Ceprano — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is rock.

There’s an old saying about how it’s hard to get blood from a stone. But according to today’s verse from the Psalms, God is very good at getting water from a rock.

“It’s true God struck the rock and water gushed out like a river, but can he give his people bread and meat?”(Psalm 78:20, CEV).

This quote from the Psalms refers to the time when the people of Israel were without water in the Sinai Desert. The LORD gave Moses these instructions, “I will be there with you. Strike the rock with the stick, and water will pour out for the people to drink.” Moses did this while the leaders watched (Exodus 17:6).

St. Paul tells us the true significance of the rock that was struck in the wilderness. All of them also ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink, which flowed from the spiritual rock that followed them. That rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:3-4).

Jesus is the rock that was struck on our behalf and from him gushes living water that will bring eternal life. He said, “If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say” (John 7:37-38).

Response: LORD God, I thank you for Jesus, the eternal living rock. Through his shed blood I have everlasting life. Jesus, you are my water of life. Amen.

Your Turn: Is Jesus the rock of your salvation?