08/16/2019
There are times in our lives when we accomplish great things, and when we do, we tend to take full credit for them... but should we claim them, any of them, and take even the slightest bit of glory for them? As we visit the high places of life, are we worthy of any glory at all? All glory is God’s alone, and when we don’t realize that He shows us a bit of Himself, and humbles us.
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”
Psalms 115:1 ESV
My wife and I are visiting Glacier National Park, and yesterday we did something that took me back to my childhood, awed me, and humbled me in a most absolute manner... we took a guided tour of “The Road to the Sun.” This is a road that has been constructed across the Rocky Mountains in Montana, and it is cut from the mountainsides of some of the most beautiful, and awe inspiring mountains in North America. We travelled the western portion of this road to a place of nearly 7,000 feet altitude called Logan Pass, which is at the pinnacle of the continent where you can straddle the Continental Divide... this is a place where all waters to the east flow back toward the Atlantic Ocean, and to the west flow towards the Pacific. As you travel this road, which has been precariously cut from the sides of mountains where you look down over 800 feet to the tiny forests and rivers below, and look up at the towering cliffs of sheer rock on which wildflowers, and conifers are clinging desperately to life, you see some of the most magnificent scenery imaginable... God’s glory is revealed here in unmistakable fashion, and you sense the presence of Jesus.
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”
Hebrews 1:3-4 ESV
I was both awestruck, and frightened at the same moment. The 1930s vintage Red Bus that we were traveling in was so close to the edge of the cliff that when I looked down I often couldn’t see the side of the road... only the valley far below. This is where the Lord humbled me. He showed me my fear of edges in a most intense and terrifying fashion. I clutched the seat-back in front of me, and could only look up... never down. I was terrified as the bus followed the narrow winding road up, and up, and up. Clouds were hanging on the peaks, and white glaciers and ice flows filled the valleys at this altitude.
So as we travelled upward my wife would look over at me and ask if I was alright. She saw the fear in my face, and spoke to me in a comforting voice as if I were a frightened child. Even though I could hear God’s voice in that moment of her caring, my faith was bridled.
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:18-19 ESV
In those moments when I found the courage to glance over the edge I could see the tops of clouds below us. I couldn’t help but think to myself... this is a “High Place” the likes of which Moses travelled to receive the Ten Commandments, and where Moses and Jacob worshipped. This is most certainly a place of worship; a place where God displays His impressive might, and glory. To add emphasis to this observation our driver/guide told us the names of each towering peak, and explained how it was sacred to the native Indians who once inhabited this place. These native peoples felt God here. And I, although in a different way, also understood the spiritual nature of these mountains. These were the kind of mountains where God had instructed Abraham to take Isaac... and sacrifice Him. This is a place where you would expect to hear the voice of God tell you to take off your shoes because you are standing on Holy ground.
“Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.”
Exodus 3:5-6 ESV
Finally, after what seemed like hours of fear, we reached Logan pass which was a high rather flat place surrounded by a towering ring of mountains that jutted above us in every direction like a crown. There were many people visiting here, all marveling at the beauty, of this place, but what I saw was God’s glory, and I saw it through the eyes of a very humbled man. Had I learned my lesson?
“The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:11-12 ESV
Then, as we began our journey down from the summit, something amazing happened... As the bus traveled along the bluff side of the road the fear I had felt on the way up was gone. I could look out at the mountains, clouds, forests, and down into the deep valleys without quaking. It was as if the lesson had ended, and God had sufficiently spoken to me regarding His glory, and my humble nature; now I could look at all of this awesome grandeur and beauty, and not be impressed with anything else but Him. Man’s road was no longer miraculous, and the beautiful old red buses had lost their shine... only God’s presence mattered and He thrilled me in it.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
God’s glory; it is not separate from our own because all we are meant to do is reflect Him, and give all glory to Him in everything. Are you ready to meet your greatest fear and learn just what it means to be humble... or are you already giving God the glory as you travel up and down the mountains in your life?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the awe inspiring beauty of your creation, but most of all Father, thank you for showing me my place in it as your child. Thank you Lord for demonstrating my fears to me, and showing me that you will relieve them if I will trust in your love. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who raises up the mountains and gives us the courage to meet you on them. Great are you who lifts us up, and who, when necessary, shows us our insignificance lest we become proud, and attempt to assume your glory. I praise you Holy Father for your love, and for stilling my fears. Glorious are you, and in all things I give you the glory. Hear my voice Lord as I worship you on the edges, and cliffs, where my fears and terror, resides, and only your hand steadies my foot, and keeps me from misstep. All glory is yours now, and forevermore!! In your love I trust.
“Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.”
Psalms 119:133-135 ESV
Rich Forbes