Mountain Top
Mountain Top
From this mountain top, I see.
the world take on its shape.
Mystery is exposed ici.
Le mond cannot escape.
For in these elated moments be
the clarity desired.
I look beyond the troubled climb
and see His plan re-fired.
I cling to this in minds-eye,
because I know descent awaits.
I must return to the valley
where the enemy abates.
His plans will not prevail, you see.
He cannot have his way.
For now I have a bird's-eye view
of his every single play.
So I thank Him for the mountain-top,
but try not to be high-minded.
Instead I watch, pray, and listen.
Grateful, for He has guided
me through the valley once again,
and up the hill of adversity.
Victorious! I can return now
to battle with renewed intensity.
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. Romans 8:37 AMP
For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. Zechariah 2:8 NKJV
“The Mountain,” a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer, is one of the missionary vehicles we have been blessed with the past few years. (Side thought: Yes, we like to name our vehicles. When you spend as much time in them as we have, they seem to almost become a pet of sorts!) It was an appropriate name, as our family are avid hikers, always enjoying a good challenge from the nearest mountain.
As we travel, we have discovered hiking is a great way to get out and really see the landscape and truly relish our journey. We have seen views of lakes, streams, waterfalls, planes, beaches, and many mountain top views over the years. I am tremendously grateful for each view, and the vantages they have granted.
Each time we climb, we experience difficulties: times of wanting to quit because of the steep incline; obstacles in the forms of trees, narrow paths, and boulders; inclement weather from winds, rain, or extreme temperatures. However, each view is magnificent and adds a unique perspective to our view of the region. This makes overcoming each obstacle well worth the effort.
In much the same way, our times of climbing in God’s plan for our lives will bring both times of great hardship and moments of elation. Paul talks about these persecutions in Romans 8: 35, 36. After which he proclaims the victory in verse 37, “Yet, we are more than conquerers through Him that loved us!”
In climbing with God, there are also those moments when God grants us a taste of His love and victory. We might call these the “mountain top moments” of following Him. In those moments we are granted a unique perspective on the world.
In each and every trial we may encounter, we can rest assured that He has made us more than conquerors. We are not merely victorious. We have surpassed victory! I like how the strong’s says we have made a decisive victory. We need not question the outcome, for it is a sure and decided victory!
The second, and I believe more important, observation that I have regarding this verse is that we obtain this decided victory through His love for us.
That word "Him that loved” is translated elsewhere “beloved.” We are His beloved, and it is this knowledge that will move us from merely surviving to understanding that we have more than conquered every situation in this life.
Paul was so convinced of this that he went on to say in verse 38 that “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love."
Have you meditated in the love of Christ for you today? Have you given deep consideration to the fact that He loved you so much He sacrificed everything for you? As Zechariah says, you are the apple of His eye, and He takes very personally anyone or thing that touches you.
Let this truth sink in: His blood was shed for you, and there is not one thing that happens to you in this life that He did not already make provision for you to walk through with complete, abounding victory! This is His love for you.
Questions for Pondering...
Do you feel you are climbing any mountains at present? What obstacles is your climb presenting? Have you meditated in the love of Christ for you to overcome these obstacles? I would love to hear your thoughts regarding any mountains you might be climbing.
#bitbybit #mountaintop #victorious #missions #missionslife #perspective