My Rock, Fortress, And Deliverer

2 Samuel 22:2

“And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;”

Here is what the Lord Jesus Christ GIVES to His people:

I. Jesus Is Our Foundation.

“is my rock”

Jesus gives us a provision.

Matthew 7:24-27

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Deuteronomy 32:31 “For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.”

II. Jesus Is Our Fortress.

“my fortress”

Jesus gives us protection.

2 Samuel 22:51 “He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.”

III. Jesus Is Our Freedom.

“my deliverer”

Jesus gives us permission.

Phrase occurs 5 times

Here

Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

Psalm 40:17 “But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.”

Psalm 70:5 “But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.”

Psalm 144:2 “My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.”

Conclusion:

Jesus is the sweetest name I know!

There’s not much information on Lela B. Long, other than a record with the words she wrote that suggests the song was written prior to 1925. That would suggest she was an adult who was born in the late 19th or early 20th Century, and went on to eternity prior to the end of the 20th Century. She must have had some affinity with people she knew, including unspoken names she says in verse one had moved her emotionally. But, she makes it clear that those names paled next to ‘Jesus’. Why would His name be so special to Long? Had she been affected by poor health, or events of her time like World War I, which robbed its survivors of friends and loved ones? What life circumstances drew her toward Him? We only know that she wrote three verses and a refrain (see the link below for access to them) to carry her message, though most often we hear only the refrain. She has us say repeatedly throughout the refrain that he’s genuine, as authentic and loveable as one can imagine Him. Isn’t that really the root of love, that this person to whom I cling is not a fake, but true? He’s worth my worship, she declares.

1 There have been names that I have loved to hear, But never has there been a name so dear To this heart of mine, as the name divine, The precious, precious name of Jesus. (Chorus)

2 There is no name in earth or heav’n above, That we should give such honor and such love As the blessed name, let us all acclaim, That wondrous, glorious name of Jesus. (Chorus)

3 And some day I shall see Him face to face To thank and praise Him for His wondrous grace, Which He gave to me, when He made me free, The blessed Son of God called Jesus. (Chorus)

Chorus: Jesus is the sweetest name I know, And He’s just the same as His lovely name, And that’s the reason why I love Him so; Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.