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.
7. Continuously feed on the Word of God.
8. Be humble.
Humility is a condition for attaining and maintaining greater heights. Isaiah 57:15. Humility is not only needed in becoming great, also, it is very essential in sustaining greatness. Pride is a destroyer.
9. Keep waiting on the Lord.
It’s only those who wait on the Lord that their strength will be renewed.
10. Obedience and service.
“ if they obey and serve me, they shall spend their days in prosperity …” Job 36 :11.
11. Cooperate with the plans and purpose of God for your life.
In His sovereign will, if He chooses to keep you on top of the mountains, then be grateful. But if God decides to take you to the valley first for a journey to another mountaintop, so be it. He's the Potter and we're the clay! Believe that God has good reasons for this. There is something better waiting on the other side of the valley.
WALKING THROUGH THE VALLEY:
The mountaintop is a beautiful place but to get there we will have to walk through valleys! We cannot get from one mountain to the next one without going through a valley. So, for every mountain there is a valley! The valley is a deep hollow between mountains. There is always a valley between two mountains. Valleys are depressions in the earth’s surface between ranges of mountains. A valley is a low land surrounded on both sides by mountains. Mountains casts a shadow on the valley denying it direct sunlight. The terrain is dark, harsh and dangerous. Predators prowl in valleys. Psalm 22:12. Dangers like rockslides and flash floods occur in valleys.
Figuratively, valley represents the low moments in life. It is the difficult seasons. To be in the valley is to ?nd yourself down and out between a rock and a hard place. The valley is a place where you struggle with painful memories and situations. It is a rough place. But as rough as the landscape is, there is always a path through it. Valleys are the lows after the highs of being on top of a mountain. It is a place of fear, worry and frustration. Valleys are the paths to success. It is the access to the mountains. Valleys are life's zero level. It is to be in ground zero. Valleys are seasons of rejection and obscurity. Many looks down on you when you are in the valley. Most life changing decisions are made in the valley. Valleys are scenes of battles. The popular David and Goliath battle took place in a valley between two mountains. 1 Samuel 17. Valleys are seasons of hurt, heartbreak and pain. To be in the valley is to be abandoned and forgotten. It is a place of wasted opportunities. The valley is a place of broken relationships, aborted dreams and shattered hopes. In the valley its so dark. When you step into your valley it is so difficult to see the path ahead. Valleys blurred visions. To be in the valley is to struggle with addictions. Valleys could be seasons of desperation and loneliness. Some valleys are wide, some are narrow. Some are rough and some on smooth surface. Depression is common in the valley.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.” Psalm 23:4. Everyone will go through the valley, and often more than once. They're a normal part of life! Don't be astounded when it come. While passing through the valley, many will criticize, talk evil, and judge you unfairly. When you're journeying through the valley, you sometimes tend to question God’s timing and goodness. Every time we go through valleys we tend to wonder why God allows us to go through them. When walking through the valley, it’s easy to lose focus. But the valley is not our destination! It is a transit point! When we're in a valley we often think it's a dead end situation, but it's not. There is a beginning and end. Your valley don't last! Whatever you might be going through is nothing but a transient phase. It shall pass because its season will end and a better season will start. Be rest assured, God's taking you to the high places, where the sun is warm and the grass is lush. You can’t have success without a scar, triumphs without trials, testimonies without tests and a breakthrough without a breakdown. Keep believing. God on the mountain is still God in the valley! Your blessings will come. God''s in control; He will help you to get out of your valley situation. Keep learning and preparing. Soon it will be time to leave the valley and climb up the mountain-top. Every valley is pathway to something better. "No good does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11. Your valley situation can prepare you for a brand new mountaintop!
1. Draw closer to God.
A relationship with Jesus is the starting point. Isaiah 43:2-3. Ask the Lord to show you any sins in your life that are hindering intimacy with Him. Then, repent, accept God's forgiveness, and embrace the grace He offers.
2. Avoid sin. Proverbs 28:13. Unconfessed sin hinders progress. Be disciplined. Flee all appearances of evil.
3. Set goals and don't just drift through life.
4. Avoid laziness and procrastination. They're wasters of opportunities; causes regret and stagnancy.
5. Acquire the training you will need to function at the next level before you get there.
6. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. He is our Helper. John 14:26. Walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
7. Keep walking.
The valley is not a permanent place. Keep walking by faith. Refuse to give up; don't quit. Failure is not falling down; it is remaining there when you have fallen. You can rise from a fall. Keep walking. Be persistent in faith.
8. Praise God through the valley.
Live a life of thanksgiving and praise. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Gratitude has a way of changing your attitude. It takes your focus off yourself and your situation. Thanksgiving keep your focus on God who alone is able to take you from your valley situation to the mountain-top. 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
9. Read and meditate on the Word of God. Joshua 1:8.
10. Pray. James 5:16, Ephesian 6:18, and Psalm 116:1.
11. Trust in the Lord.
Faith is not resistant to trials and difficulties. As a matter of fact, faith is strengthened in the valleys. Your faith in God will be tested in your valley situations! And, for every testimony there's a test! Hebrews 13:5. Stay focused; firmly cling to God and His promises. He'll bring you peace in the midst of your storms. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3.
12. Learn to obey God. Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 13. He will bless your obedience. Psalm 84:11.
13. Cast out fear.
Fear most times looks greater than the actual problem. Fear distracts. When you're walking through dark valleys, don’t be afraid of the dark. Its the place where the light of God in you will be seen. Focus on Jesus; lift your eyes beyond your circumstances. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4. God is there with you in the valley, for the Bible tells us, “The light shines in the darkness” John 1:5. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" John 8:12. Jesus is our Light in the darkness, He is our Light in the dark places! When you're walking through dark valleys, look at the Light.
"28 Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’ ” 1 Kings 20:28.
Are you in a valley, wondering when it will end and where to go next? Are you walking through the valleys of sickness, pain, debt and frustration? Are things falling apart in your home, ministry, family or business? Have you been passing through the valleys of poverty, unemployment, rejection, marital crisis, betrayal, confusion and disgrace, wondering when it will end? Are you walking through the valleys of uncertainty, fear, discouragement and depression? Is it a broken relationship? Perhaps you are going through a stressful marriage. Be rest assured, it will surely come to an end. Your hopeless situation is not hopeless when the Hope of the righteous is still involved. Proverbs 10:28. God's interested in you! He's working behind the scenes to usher you to your mountain-top! So hold on! Are you on the mountain-top or heading up there? Keep believing in God. Remember the error of Rehoboam! Don't forget God when all is well with you. Are you somewhere in-between the mountains and valleys? Do you feel stuck between mountains and valleys without hope? Don't give up; keep walking. You can't turn back! Don't be discouraged! You're almost there! Refuse to compromise your salvation. Stand firm and don't lose your faith. Don't stop believing in God and His purpose for your life. You're on the right path. Your mountain-top is just around the corner. The Most High God is right there telling you to keep going. Psalm 139:7-12. He's in control. Focus your attention on Him. Trust that He knows the way through the difficult valleys and will see you safely through. God will help you! Your situations won’t last forever! It may seem that way, but soon, it will surely come to an end. Soon you'll be standing on the mountaintop. Keep walking in faith! You're on your to a higher place! You are destined for greater heights.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, I thank You because I know the valleys won’t last forever. Thank You for the hope and the peace that can only be found in You, in Jesus name.
2. O Lord, You are my hope and peace. Thank You for being my Light in the darkest valleys, in Jesus name.
3. As I walk in this dark valleys, O Lord, open my eyes that I might see You, in Jesus name.
4. Father, I know You are with me. I know You are making the crooked places straight and leading me by my right hand straight to the mountaintop where I can rest in Your peace, in Jesus name.
5. O Lord, help me remained focused on You so that I will not miss Your blessings, in Jesus name.
6. Father, please take me to a higher level in all my life’s pursuits, in Jesus name.
7. Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayer.
