January 10, 2014
Climbing to High Places
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
How Awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth." (Psalm 47:2)
Friend to Friend
My husband, Brad, and I celebrated 20 years of marriage last summer by taking a trip to several cities, far away. We planned our days and painstakingly plotted touring strategies in order to see the sites, view the views, eat the foods, experience the local charms and soak in the unfamiliar cultures as best we could. Each city boasted different personalities and attractions, but one thing was consistent about our approach in every location: we climbed to high places.
And we climbed.
We climbed and we climbed... thousands of steps. I kid you not! We climbed up creaky, dusty, windy staircases of old cathedrals and up small steps in tall buildings. We climbed fancy-schmancy staircases in opulent castles, up ancient stone staircases in an arena, up earthen lava trails on the sides of a dormant volcano and up steep, grassy paths on scenic hills.
Every ascent was both an adventure and a challenge. The rewards of each strenuous climb, however, were breath-taking views that gave us a bigger picture of the locations we were visiting. We saw beauty and grandeur. We gained clarity and focus. We got fresh perspectives. It was awesome.
Have you ever looked out an airplane window and seen the world from above the clouds? Have you ever taken in mountain hike views or climbed to the top of a lighthouse? High places are incredible. High places can also be humbling as they show how small we are in light of this massive earth and galaxy in which we live.
God is El Elyon, the Lord Most High. The highest of highs! The psalmist said it this way, “How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth.” (Psalm 47:2) God is all-knowing, all-powerful, glorious and full of splendor. He. Is. Awesome!
So, how can and should who He is affect our day-to-day views? Our perspectives change when we look up and climb to the sacred chambers of the Most High God. Think about how your mindset changes when you get a fresh perspective.
Maybe you have a few heart burdens or disappointments that are keeping you from high views. We all find our place discouraged at times. Psalm 123:1-2 says, “To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.” (ESV) The Hebrew word for “lift” is nasa’ meaning, “to lift, bear up, carry, take.” So when we look up, bear up, carry up and take up our concerns to God His mercy meets with us. He meets us with mercy because He loves us.
But… we still have challenges and they weigh us down. Our burdens shouldn’t keep us from climbing to high places – from the highest place – but often they do. They keep us from experiencing the mercy and help of God and they consume our mind with low and discouraging thoughts.
How can we connect our low or average life places to God’s highest place… to the place of His grace… His power… His provision… His love… His forgiveness… His rest? We can ask God for help. We can be still before Him, confess our sins, remember that He is God and we are not. We can ask Him for the courage we need to move forward in His strength.
When Brad and I wanted to get better views we climbed. It took intentional effort. We took step after step until we reached the top and each climb met us with a beautiful reward. The distance between our low, dim-viewed living and the high places we are invited to experience in Christ will only change if we climb. When we look up, God lifts us up… and the view from the top is always incredible.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Thank you for reminding me that You are the Most High God! Help me to climb beyond my discouragements and challenges toward Your provision and help.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
I’m a music girl. As you reflect on today’s devotion, click here to listen to a song that will lead you to God’s heart in responsive worship.
Read Psalm 47 and journal a prayer response.
More from the Girlfriends
Looking for a fresh way to experience God from high places? Get the new Girlfriends in God book, Knowing God by Name by Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith, & Mary Southerland. This is the perfect book for individual study or for gathering a group of friends in what we call GiG Groups. With impactful devotions, study questions, journal pages, and free on-line video intros, this book is a resource you’ll refer to time-and-time again.
Gwen Smith wants to help you think big thoughts about God and to inspire you toward His grace and truth. Her website is filled with videos, posts, songs and resources that will be a deep well of encouragement to you. Click here to visit her site. (Get a FREE song download when you sign up for her newsletter!)
Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
Matthews, NC 28106
[email protected]
www.girlfriendsingod.com
.webp)
