The Mountain Equips You For The ValleySample

The Mountain

A mountain is a high place in the natural environment. When I think about the mountains, it takes me to a place of refuge, serenity, and even a “nothing is impossible” kind of feeling. I can imagine myself being unstoppable and untouched by the toughest of forces. I guess it is what I would call my freedom place, and it is the place where I am most aware of the presence of God. The mountain brings with it elevation, and it can also be associated with:

· The place where God dwells

· Alone time and seclusion

· Peace, quiet

· Rest, calm and cool

· Green and fresh

· A better and broader view (vision)

· Lack of chaos

· Protection and a fortress

The mountain sure sounds like the place I would like to reside permanently. How about you? Wouldn’t it be great if you could find a place where the above existed and stay there forever? Unfortunately, for now, our natural lives exist in the valley, but the mountain experience is a real one for the believer. I have heard the saying, “God lives in the mountains” and even the Bible references to this. 

Abraham is advised to sacrifice his son Isaac on the mountain, and it is on the mountain he hears Gods voice. (Genesis 22)

Moses went up the mountain to meet with God and received the commandments (Exodus 19 and 24) 

Elijah waited for God on the mountain (1 Kings 19)

Jesus was transfigured on the mountain (Matthew 17)

From these few references, it does seem like God lives on the mountain. While we know He doesn’t live in a mountain, we must elevate ourselves from the natural situations and circumstances of life to meet with God. Today, our mountain will be our secret place – the place we retreat to be with God, to bask in his presence and lean into his heart and words for us. Jesus did not spend all of his time on the mountain, but there are lots of references of him going away to a quiet place, or he would arise early to give himself to prayer, so Jesus was making sure he had his mountain experiences to deal with life issues that would present themselves to him during his day. 

Would you not agree that if the son of God made the mountain experience a priority while he dwelt on earth, it should be a priority for us also? Jesus did many miracles and operated in the supernatural, but all of what he did in the valley was an overflow from the mountain experience. Every day we wake up to more bizarre and uncertain circumstances because of the end times we are living in and to keep our sanity and remain anchored in an ever-changing world we need the mountain experience – time alone with God!

Remember: The mountain equips you for the valley!