Scaling the Mountains

Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Joshua 1:8

 

A few years ago our family traveled to Yosemite National Park. While there, my husband, Don, and our two sons-in-law climbed Half Dome, a large granite dome that rises almost 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley. Don trained before the climb. To his weekly routine of jogging, he added climbing several flights of stairs to develop leg muscles and endurance.

Spiritually, you and I face many steep journeys—mountains of temptation or difficult circumstances that loom in our pathway, mountains of false teaching that require discernment between what is right and wrong, and even mountains of opportunity given by God that seem impossible to climb. In order to journey over these mountains, you and I must remain spiritually fit. Our spiritual strength comes from God and His Word.

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights (Psalm 18:32-33). The Spirit of God within us is our strength!

The Word of God is also our strength. As you and I diligently study and meditate upon scripture, our personal trainer, the Holy Spirit, uses the Word to teach us what we need to know for our journey. He uses scripture to train us in righteousness and to equip us for every good work. (1 Timothy 3:16-17)

Fitness centers are filled with people who long to be physically fit. Wonderful! But how many of us long to be spiritually fit? How disciplined and diligent are you in studying and learning God’s word so that you are strengthened to scale the heights? Spend time with your personal Trainer, and He will strengthen you!

Lord, Your Spirit and Word are the keys to success in scaling the mountains. Help me diligently study Your Word and strengthen me through Your Spirit.

Jan Burkhart