Standing on the Rock

by Catherine Osornio
Published April 28, 2005

In the Timna Valley of southern Israel, sandstone mountains rise majestically above the desert floor to as high as 2300 feet. Through exposure to years of wind and rain, one section of these mountains is shaped into a beautiful set of columns known as Solomon’s Pillars.

Standing at their base, one is amazed at such an incredible feat of nature. The walls look carefully carved as if special tools were used to engrave patterns deep into the rock. Standing close to the top looking down, one is awed by the spectacular view. But for all its beauty and glory, these pillars are but a temporary display. In several years the very shape of them will change to some degree as the desert environment will forge new lines and cuts into the not-so-solid rock.

Climbing Solomon’s Pillars, one has to hold onto the railings since the dust falling from the rock makes the paths slippery. I am reminded of the world when I look at these walls of stone: attractive; alluring; stunning; yet also unstable since sandstone is mostly sand mixed with other elements. Time will make this firm-looking structure wear down. It was not meant to last forever.

God, on the other hand, is solid. He does not change with the shifting of the winds or the force of flash floods. We can rely on the Lord. He will not crumble under the pressures of time or the unpredictability of circumstances. Are we building our foundation on Him or on the world? Are we looking to the true Rock for our support in life or are we clinging to the false security the world tries to offer behind beautiful facades?

The hymn “The Solid Rock” by Edward Mote sums it all: “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.”

Viewed 495 times