Between The Mountains

BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS

"14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 2 Samuel 15:14.

The events leading up to this verse is one of the darkest moments in the life of King David. Yes, he was a man who had so many ups and downs but this is definitely one of his lowest points. David wrote Psalm 55 during this time. His heart was broken and wounded as a result of the betrayal of Absalom and Ahithophel. As Absalom and his rebels advanced toward Jerusalem, David retreated! The King ran from the palace!

What do you do when you're facing a crisis after being on the mountaintop? Take prophet Elijah, for example. In one chapter, we see him calling down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel. Turn a few pages later and he’s in the wilderness wishing he were dead. Also in the first chapter of the book of Job, we see a wealthy, godly man. Job had every reason to be happy; good health and a beautiful family. Just a few verse in same chapter, he’s sitting in the ashes, grieving his family's loss, reduced to poverty, and scraping his sores with pottery fragment.

"2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” Mark 9:2-5.

Jesus takes three of His disciples to the top of a mountain. On the mountaintop, they had a taste of His glory. The disciples hearts were glad and they wanted to stay on the mountain forever. They had no idea Jesus was about to walk into a dark valley of death. The same crowd praising and celebrating the Messiah would turn against Him. Jesus would be betrayed, arrested, tortured, publicly humiliated, condemned, and executed in the most shameful manner. But death is not the end of His ministry! Jesus would later arose from the grave and entered into glory. Luke 24:26. Are you experiencing storms in life and ministry? Are you facing persecution in at work? Whatever it is, it will come to an end! God will remove us from the pain of this world. He'll take us to Heaven and give us new, glorified bodies. We will reign with Christ “forever and ever” Revelation 22:5.

Life is a series of mountains and valleys. We go from one mountain to a valley, then from one valley to a mountain. Where are you today? Perhaps there’s a mountain or valley right around the corner. God has always use valleys and mountains experience to accomplish His purposes. Genesis 50:20.

LIFE ON THE MOUNTAIN-TOP:

The Oxford English Dictionary defined a mountain as "a natural elevation of the earth surface rising more or less abruptly from the surrounding level and attaining an altitude which, relatively to the adjacent elevation, is impressive or notable." Individual mountains are connected by ridges and separated by valleys.

Figuratively, mountains represent the high points in our lives. Mountains are peaks. It is an elevated position. A mountain is a higher ground. It is a situation above normal or mediocre level. Mountains are exalted places. It is the high points in your life. Mountains are places of clear vision. When you are on a mountain, you can see clearly and very far. Mountains helps us to see the potential of the future because of the vast possibilities that lies ahead. Mountains give us the view of hope. Mountains are seasons of celebration, testimony and victory.

What can you do when you are experiencing a mountaintop moments?

1. Appreciate the goodness of the Lord.

Gratitude empowers you to scale to higher heights. Psalm 95:4-5. It qualifies you for another act of favour from God. Gratitude turns healing to wholeness. Luke 17:11-19. Thanksgiving brings restoration.

2. Run away from every appearance oF evil. There must be godly living. Psalm 84:11.

3. Keep praying.

4. Keep pleasing God. You must have a hunger and thirst for more of God

5. Have unrelenting faith. Hebrews 11:6; Psalm 27:19; Romans 2:7. God responds to faith.

6. Keep praising.

Praise the Lord for who He is and what He’s done. Know that He hasn’t taken His eyes off you. Psalm 95:1-3.