Rockfest Day 31 - Solid as a Rock

Gibraltar. It is known the world over. Gibraltar has been important to world history for centuries. Gibraltar occupies a strategic piece of land at the Southwest tip of Spain just across the rightfully named Strait of Gibraltar from Africa. Oddly, it is not under Spanish rule. They lost in it 1713 to the British. The Spanish are still pretty hot over it and as recently as 2006 they were still trying to find ways to exert some control over it.

But have you ever looked at it on a map? It is a tiny little place. Looks like you could flick Gibraltar away with your little finger. The whole land area is just 2.6 square miles. It seems more like an afterthought than an important piece of real estate.

What is it about this tiny spit of land that has had the world’s attention since it was first settled in 711 AD? It is geographically located in prime shipping routes. It is strategically located for travel to the Southern continent. But there is more to Gibraltar than being geographically blessed.

It’s that rock. If Gibraltar is known for anything it is known for its rock. You may know nothing about Gibraltar itself but surely you have seen that rock; rising majestically and massively above the sea.

The Rock of Gibraltar is intimidating. It has been the site of many battles through the ages. The rock itself has been the targeted prize at times and at other times it has been the strategic outpost helping the win the battle. The composition of the rock itself makes it a fitting adversary in any competition.

It rises over 1,300 feet above the sea on its western side giving forces a great vantage point from which to see the enemy approach. It is partly made of limestone which allows for tunnels to be easily carved for attack routes and cunning, quick movements of forces. The rock has over 100 naturally occurring caves, in which to hide and protect an army.

When an army took up positions on the rock, they were protected. The rock acted as a natural fortress. The natural stone was impossible to defeat. Because of its impenetrability The Rock of Gibraltar inspired a motto by the British Royal forces stationed there – Nulli Expugnabilis Hosti – No Enemy Shall Expel Us.

Companies have co-opted that rock for advertising campaigns. People have used it for wrestling monikers. People reference that rock when talking about perseverance and trying to inspire victory. It just might be the most famous rock in history.

Or not.

I wrote at the outset of this month long Rockfest, during the Month of Rocktober, that God is my RockStar and that I was doing this as a way to spend time rocking with Him. I realize all those “rock” references are a bit silly, but if truth be known, I did not come up with the nickname of the Rock for God – He did.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in Him I will trust, My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” (2 Sam. 22:2-4).

“He is the rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are just.” (Duet. 32:4).

“There is no rock like our God.” (1 Sam. 2:2).

“For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?” (Ps. 18:31).

“He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.” (Ps.41:2).

“and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” (Matt. 7:25).

“and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.” (1 Cor. 10:4).

It really isn’t any wonder why the Rock of Gibraltar inspires us so much and is so famous. That rock is more than a land mass. It is a fortress. It is a tower. It is a stronghold and a refuge. That rock sends a message just by its presence. That rock is a visible and tangible reminder of the Rock who protects us all.

The Rock of Gibraltar inspires us because it reminds us of the One True Rock who protects us, shelters us, offers us refuge in difficult times.  Reminds us of the Original Rock who gives us our solid foundation upon which to build our lives.  Our Rock is the force that stregthens us in times of trouble and defeats our enemies.  Our Rock will not erode away.  Our Rock is forever and ever. 

Gibraltar would just be another strip of coastline without it's rock.  Vulnerable and weak.  We too would be nothing special without our Rock. Vulnerable and weak.  But as long as we are standing on our Solid Foundation, nulli expugnabilis hosti – no enemy shall expel us.  That's a motto I'd bet my life on. 
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