MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCES

About 10 years ago, my wife and I and eight others, mostly family, went to the Enchanted Rock State Park in Fredericksburg, Texas and climbed to the very top of the mountain.  Okay, it’s only 425 feet high, but that was quite a challenge for my then, 5-year-old grandson, Caleb, who beat his grandpa up the mountain. 

On the day we conquered the mountain, the weather was almost “millennial.” The air was fresh and my perspective was more clear and far-reaching than when I was on the ground.  God did an awesome job in creating this granite mountain!  Not only do I like mountains, but I believe that God must have liked mountains also for His Word is filled with references and events that took place by or on mountains.

Mountains were places of refuge (Judges 6:2; Psalms 11:1), places of rest, and places of revelation.  The view that Moses had from the top of Mount Pisgah was a revelation of all that God would give Israel (Deut. 34:1-4). Moses was given the law on Mount Sinai, prophecy could be delivered from mountains (Judges 9:7), and Jesus’ greatest sermon was given on a mountain (Matthew 5-7). 

Mountains were also frequently associated with God’s presence. Isaac was to be offered before God on a mountain (Gen. 22:2) and Jesus was transfigured on a mountain (Matthew 17:1-2).  Mountains were often used as places of prayer.  Elijah prayed on Mount Carmel, Moses prayed on Mount Sinai, and Jesus often went to the mountains to pray (Luke 6:12; Matthew 14:23; Mark 3:13; Luke 9:28).

Finally, the Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth on the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4) Hallelujah!!  Can you blame me for getting a little excited about mountains?                                   

Let’s pray for an attitude of expectancy that God will do great and mighty things in and through us.  God can even use us to “move mountains” (Mark 11:23) if we have genuine faith in God (Mark 11:24) and gracious forgiveness of others (Mark (11:25).

“I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise,

That spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies.

There’s not a plant or flower below but makes Thy glories known;

And clouds arise and tempests blow by order from Thy throne,

While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care

And everywhere that man can be, Thou, God, art present there.

(“I Sing The Mighty Power of God,” by Isaac Watts)