Daily Encouragementنموونە

This word of encouragement to Zerubbabel reminds us that God’s work is done through the overcoming of difficulties, not by an easy path. Mountains of difficulty are very real in the life of the Christian and in the service of the Lord. To follow him is to head for high places and to serve in mountain country.

God’s best men are mountain men. “Give me this mountain” (Josh.14:12, AV), cries the old warrior Caleb when he might have requested the easiest place in the land.

Great things are done when men and mountains meet,
That are not done by jostling in the street.

God’s work is done through the overcoming of difficulties. He specializes in making mountains into level ground before his people. As they go forward by faith, they find that the mountains have become plains. We cannot remove the mountains, but we can exercise faith in the Remover of mountains. Our Lord often spoke of faith in connection with mountains (e.g. Matt. 17:20; 21:21-22).

God is glorified when mountains and hills are made low (Isa. 40:4-5) and his servants continually learn that they are utterly dependent upon his Spirit. (Zec. 4:6). The history of effective Christian work is the story of mountain after mountain becoming a plain to the glory of God.