Before the Mountains, You Are God!
My two brothers and I laughed as we climbed
the mountains in western Oklahoma. Later we learned, these were just
hills and not mountains at all. I could not fathom the size of a mountain could
be.
the mountains in western Oklahoma. Later we learned, these were just
hills and not mountains at all. I could not fathom the size of a mountain could
be.
Dad and Mom decided we should drive to
Colorado and drive up Pike’s Peak. I still remember clenching the side of the
door and peering down over the edge of the road. The mountain, over
14,000 feet high, caused my heart to pound. Sometimes I closed my eyes to blot
out the sight of the fearful, dizzying height. I want to ask Dad to return to
the bottom of the hill.
Colorado and drive up Pike’s Peak. I still remember clenching the side of the
door and peering down over the edge of the road. The mountain, over
14,000 feet high, caused my heart to pound. Sometimes I closed my eyes to blot
out the sight of the fearful, dizzying height. I want to ask Dad to return to
the bottom of the hill.
Then we reached the top. The breathtaking view of the vista before me and
I wanted to stay forever. I asked Dad about building a house and living on the
top of the mountain.
Then I read Psalm 90:2. Before
the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the
world, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the
world, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
The
majestic mountains in various parts of the world seem impregnable. Yet
before the mountains were created, our God is. Though we cannot see
God, we can see the mountains He created. The beginning of true Awe is not
seeing God with our eyes, but seeing Him with our hearts and praising Him.
majestic mountains in various parts of the world seem impregnable. Yet
before the mountains were created, our God is. Though we cannot see
God, we can see the mountains He created. The beginning of true Awe is not
seeing God with our eyes, but seeing Him with our hearts and praising Him.
On the morning of the third day, there were thunders and lightnings
and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast
so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought
the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot
of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped
in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in the fire.
Exodus 19:16-18.
Although
the Children of Israel could not see God, knowing He stood in the smoke’s
midst and fire terrified them. There is no place we can hide from God.
Even darkness does not provide a hiding place from our God. Where
shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your Presence?
Psalm 139:7.
the Children of Israel could not see God, knowing He stood in the smoke’s
midst and fire terrified them. There is no place we can hide from God.
Even darkness does not provide a hiding place from our God. Where
shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your Presence?
Psalm 139:7.
Mom gave us memory verses to learn as children. One summer day she gave me
Psalm 121. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From
where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven
and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you
will not slumber. Verses 1-3. How many times these words come into my mind
when I feel discouraged or sad. And I lift my eyes to the One keeps me in
His Care.
This Psalm ends with these words of assurance: The Lord will keep
you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm
121:7-8. Matthew 28:20b echoes, “And behold, I am with you always, to the
end of the age.”
And after He had
dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.
Matthew 14:23a.
dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.
Matthew 14:23a.
Seeing the crowds, He went up on
the mountain, and when He sat down, his disciples came to Him. Jesus began the
beautiful ‘sermon on the mount.’ Matthew 5:1. This Sermon on the Mount
continues for three chapters and is filled with Heavenly Wisdom for living in
this world.
the mountain, and when He sat down, his disciples came to Him. Jesus began the
beautiful ‘sermon on the mount.’ Matthew 5:1. This Sermon on the Mount
continues for three chapters and is filled with Heavenly Wisdom for living in
this world.
Why is an experience of faith and
love given the title, Mountain-Top-Experience? Could it be
because we leave the world behind and just rest in the Presence of God
Alone?
love given the title, Mountain-Top-Experience? Could it be
because we leave the world behind and just rest in the Presence of God
Alone?
Sometimes a difficult challenge in life
receives the title: A Mountain to Climb. Separation from a loved
one through death, learning how to trust God in an impossible situation, a
difficult relationship, or financial woes.
receives the title: A Mountain to Climb. Separation from a loved
one through death, learning how to trust God in an impossible situation, a
difficult relationship, or financial woes.
How
many times have I found refreshing scripture to renew my spirit in God’s
Word?
many times have I found refreshing scripture to renew my spirit in God’s
Word?
The first
five verses of Psalm 95 is only one example.
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of
our salvation. Let
us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a
great God and a great King above all
gods. In His hand are the
depths of the earth; the heights of the
mountains are His also. The sea is His,
for He made it, and His
hands formed the dry land.
five verses of Psalm 95 is only one example.
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of
our salvation. Let
us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a
great God and a great King above all
gods. In His hand are the
depths of the earth; the heights of the
mountains are His also. The sea is His,
for He made it, and His
hands formed the dry land.
Last Lord’s Day, in Worship, we sang this song, Shout
To The Lord!
To The Lord!
I sing for joy at the work of Your hand
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have In You
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have In You
Oh, shout to the Lord all the Earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name (Darlene
Zschech)
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name (Darlene
Zschech)
May the
glory of the Lord endure
forever; may the Lord rejoice
in His works, who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke! I will sing to the Lord as
long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Psalm 104:31-34.
glory of the Lord endure
forever; may the Lord rejoice
in His works, who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke! I will sing to the Lord as
long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Psalm 104:31-34.
Let the
words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,
my Rock, and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14.
words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,
my Rock, and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14.
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