08/02/2022
In the time of Isaiah, God promised to restore Israel, and through His Son Jesus Christ He has not only made a similar promise to us, but has fulfilled that promise to restore us; having redeemed us today. In Isaiah 49 God promises to do many things for Israel, but one in particular should stick out in our minds; He tells them that He will make His Mountains into a road. Has the Lord made His Mountains to be our personal road today? Do we travel across them, back and forth into His presence? Have we worn deep paths along their steep passages as we have journeyed onto His Holy Mountain to worship Him? To the unfaithful, mountains are obstacles, but to we who believe they are places of awe, and are holy beyond description. As we look at our lives, do we view the mountains before us as encumbrances, or do we see them as a divine road we follow… our highway to holiness, eternity, and God?
“And I will make all my mountains a road, and my highways shall be raised up.”
Isaiah 49:11 ESV
A few years ago Ann and I visited Glacier National Park, and we took a bus made in 1936, up the “Going to the Sun Road” high into the mountains. This road was carved into the sheer cliffs of mountains and it leads you high into the mountain heights. It is so narrow that as I looked out the bus window I could see only sky, clouds below me, and far beneath them, the trees looked like tiny dots of green. Our driver told us that the valley floor was well over 900 feet below. It was beautiful, but I was filled with fear at the same time. It is no wonder that the road of faith we travel, which God has made through the mountains, is travelled with more than awe and wonder, but with fear and trembling…
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”
Philippians 2:12 ESV
In the mountains of Glacier National Park, I prayed as we ascended the narrow road to incredible heights where the air was thin. I prayed with hands clinched tight, that the Lord would protect us from falling rocks, and that He would give our driver the skill needed to safely navigate this winding road. In my prayer closet at home I pray similarly; I pray that the Lord would give us our next breath, that He would protect us, straighten our paths, and that Jesus and the Holy Spirit would lead us along paths of righteousness.
“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:3-4 ESV
So we take the road through God’s mountains and follow His Son Jesus as we do so; we call out to others to join us on our journey, and we seek the Lord’s presence weigh our every step. As we walk this way what are the prayers we pray, what are our songs of praise, and do we cry out Holy, Holy, Holy, as we go?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for leading us into the mountains, that we might travel the road you have made, and come before you. Thank you for your Son Jesus who has redeemed us, an your Holy Spirit who leads us as he did Jesus in the desert. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who was, and is, and is to come. Praised be your name for calming us, and giving us peace as we climb above the clouds, to stand in your presence to worship you. Merciful are you to make a road for us, and to teach us to pray as we walk it. Wash the dust from us Lord, and make us pure in Jesus. Make our journey one of divine transformation, and then seat us at your table forevermore… worthy, righteous, and holy in Christ.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.””
Isaiah 52:7 ESV
Rich Forbes