How can believers apply the imagery of mountains to their spiritual journey today? Psalm 68:15 – Bashan’s Majesty Sets the Scene “The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains; rugged mountains are the mountains of Bashan.” The psalmist points to Bashan’s towering peaks to underscore God’s overwhelming greatness. Those same heights invite us to think about our walk with Him today. What Mountains Tell Us about God • Exalted Presence – Psalm 97:9 “For You, O LORD, are Most High over all the earth.” – Mountains rise above everything else, reminding us that the Lord reigns supreme over every circumstance. • Unshakable Strength – Psalm 125:1 “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved.” – As literal formations stand firm, so God’s promises remain immovable. • Meeting Place with the Divine – Exodus 19:3 “Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain.” – God repeatedly chose mountains for revelation, signaling His desire to draw near to His people. • Call to Worship – Isaiah 2:3 “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD… He will teach us His ways.” – The ascent pictures intentional, God-focused worship. Climbing the Heights – Practical Steps for the Journey 1. Fix your gaze upward. – Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD…” – Start each day by consciously looking to Him rather than to shifting earthly supports. 2. Follow the marked trail of Scripture. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms every word equips us. Directed Bible reading keeps our footing sure. 3. Walk in steady, obedient steps. – James 1:22 “Be doers of the word.” Small, consistent acts of faithfulness gain altitude over time. 4. Travel light—lay down sin and distraction. – Hebrews 12:1 “Let us throw off every hindrance… and run with endurance.” Shedding weights makes the climb joyful. 5. Rest at God-given vistas. – Mark 6:31 “Come with Me by yourselves to a solitary place and rest.” Periodic pauses for prayer and reflection renew strength. 6. Encourage fellow hikers. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one; accountability and shared praise keep hearts lifted. When the Path Turns Steep or Shadowed • Remember who stands above the storm. – Nahum 1:5 “The mountains quake before Him… the earth trembles.” Your trial never outranks the Almighty. • Recall past summits. Journaling victories breeds fresh courage. • Speak faith aloud. Jesus answered Satan’s temptations on a mountain with Scripture (Matthew 4:8-10). • Lean on the Spirit’s power, not personal grit (Zechariah 4:6). • Anticipate clearer vision after the climb; valleys rarely offer the same perspective. Keeping Your Eyes on the Ultimate Summit Hebrews 12:22-23 “You have come to Mount Zion… to the city of the living God.” Revelation 21 pictures the heavenly Jerusalem descending—our final, secure peak. Every earthly ascent points toward that glorious reality when believers will stand forever in God’s unveiled presence. Until then, let each mountain-shaped reminder—whether a challenging situation, a worshipful high point, or a literal ridge on the horizon—draw you higher in faith, firmer in hope, and deeper in love for the God whose greatness towers above all. |
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