"MOUNTAINS"
Mountains have always fascinated me. I love their great height - the
beautiful color - the snow caps. I went to the top of Mt. Zugspitqe near
Garmich Bavaria, Germany in 1945 - it was a sight I will never forget, just
breath taking. More recently the wife and I visited the cove; Dr. Billy
Graham Complex near Ashville, NC. We also drove for five hours on the Blue
Ridge Parkway mountains, which is beautiful. Even in August the leaves are
beginning to turn their colors. I stood at one view point, 5,820 feet high
and I was reminded of Psalms
121: 1-2; "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills.
This Psalm was sung by pilgrims on the
ascending march from Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem.
"From whence commeth
my help. My help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."
Knowing where our helps comes from does make a
differance.
As the children of Israel journeyed there was many
conflicts, and one of many that stands out is Israel's battle with the
Amalekities {Exodus. 17:9-12}
with Moses hands lifted - the staff of God in his hands - Aaron and Hur at
his side; holding up his tired hands. How did Israel overcome the enemy?
They had an intercessor on the Mountain - Moses, with the rod of God in his
hands, which speaks of God's almighty power and a commander in the valley -
Joshua on the battlefield with the sword. The battle was won; it required
both.
Life is not always a smooth, straight path through
pleasant pastures, and we Christians should not be surprised at the battles we
will encounter, as well as blessing we enjoy. I am reminded of Song of
Solomon 2:1; "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily
of the valley." Isaiah, (35:1-2)
speaks of the devastation described in 34: 11-15. It shall be turned into a
place of blessings for His people. Like Israel, we will experience many
crises, and we will find growth comes by crises - by mountain tops.
.Like
Moses, before we can fight the Amalekites, we must visit Mt. Horeb
{Exodus 3: 1-8}.
When did you reach
"the mountain of God, even to Horeb? When did you see the
burning bush?... when did God speak to you personally? Moses was brought to a
place where he bowed before God; and only the man who knows how to take off
his shoes in humility can God trust to walk in power.
A new day had dawned upon Moses and everything had to
change. When Moses went out with his sheep that morning, he had no idea he
would meet God! It pays to be ready, for we never know what God has planned
for us.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, as we look around the world we see chaos, discord, and famine. Help
us not to be too quick to discard our past heritage. Instead, let us re-study
the dreams, foresight, and the dedication of the founders of our nation,
predicated on the Judeo-Christian ethic. ... Give us a desire to know the
truth, lest we indeed "perish from lack of knowledge."* ... Help us to ferret
out history books written
before they were "cleansed" and re-written to
fit today's scholars' self-serving agendas.
Wake us up as a nation, and as
Christians to see that we need to reclaim our Godly heritage. .... Help us
to realize that Christianity is always in danger of extinction in every
generation unless it is kept viable and passed on to our youth. Oh Lord, give
us courage, for it will not be easy. And guide us as we seek to know and to
live within Your will.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
* (See Hosea 4:6)