Today, we board a plane heading back home from a much needed vacay in the majestic mountains of Vail. Due to my recent health issues(still waiting on test results), we didn’t think it best for me to ski this time, but I still enjoyed being surrounded by the snow-capped beauties and watching others scale up and down them. Of course, this inspired me to think about mountains and how significant the Bible claims they are to our life with Jesus.
I reflected on my first ski lesson and remembered during my first lesson, my instructor said, “Don’t stare down the whole mountain. It’s intimidating. Just look at where you are standing and do what I tell you. When we get to the bottom, we’ll stop and you can look back UP the mountain and be proud of how far I took you.“ WOW 🤯 That has stuck with me ever since, as a reminder that Jesus warns us over and over in the Bible to fix our gaze on Him instead of our circumstances or future obstacles. Training myself to focus less on self and circumstances and more on Him, has turned out to be valuable life advice, especially the last part. When I look back on my life and see all the chapters God has taken me through, I am indeed very proud of the path He chose for me!
Yes! Mountains are significant. From the time Noah was rescued from the flood on the mountain in the Old Testament, to Jesus’ first sermon on the Mount of Beatitudes in the New Testament, mountains are constantly mentioned throughout the Bible. In fact I love the song, “Go tell it on the mountain” that talks about Jesus’ birth. Then throughout his earthly life, we read about Jesus’ preachings on mountains to His crucifixion on mount calvary, to his resurrection on a mountain, a big part of Jesus’ life as a human was on a mountain too!
Why mountains?! Mountains are constant and unmoving – perhaps this is why they are powerful imagery used in the Bible to depict God’s power over everything. As I navigate these new hurdles in my health, I’m reminded by Bible verses about mountains and being surrounded by them this week, that our challenges can be overcome with God on our side. When we celebrate the good times in life, it is as if we are on the peaks of a mountain, bringing us closer to God on the mountain top.
But, of course we can’t remain on the mountain top, so I pray we learn to praise him in the same way while we are on the wearisome hike up the mountain. With Him, we can do anything. I added some of my favorite verses on mountains below, and I pray they remind us of what God is capable of doing, and what we can do with Him on our side and moving through us. In Jesus name amen 🙏
Psalm 121:1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains–where does my help come from?
Mark 11:23 Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
Psalm 125:2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people.
Jonah 2:6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit.
Nahum 1:15 Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.
Isaiah 54:10 “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
☠️ Dead-girl-walking update☠️
Rebecca’s Story
From terminal to triumph, Rebecca Masdon writes stories of faith and resilience as a “dead girl walking.”