Mountain view Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Micah 1, 2, 3, 4
Micah 4:1-3 (NIV)
1 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills and peoples will stream into it.
2 Many nations will come and say, “Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Good morning!
Yesterday, I found myself dreaming about taking a quick trip to the mountains. Our David loves the Colorado Mountains. We spent some incredible time as a family in Bailey, Colorado. Our last trip was in the fall of 2003. We left home our home on September 10th, enjoying the beginning of an early fall. As we drove northwest of Denver, we hit a huge snowstorm, and the flakes were as large as dollar sized pancakes. It was the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever seen. I wondered if we would spend our week cloistered inside the cabin around a log fire while the storm passed through, but the snow fall was short lived, and while it was plenty cold in the evenings, our days were sunny and filled with the wonder of flaming aspens and the sound of the cold Black river crashing against the rocks and river bed near our vacation home.
When I visit the mountains, I feel like I’ve come home. It is a sense of joy that I find hard to describe. David knows exactly how I feel, because he shares the same joy that I do when we vacation at Colorado. It is a place where we find ourselves surrounded by the majestic beauty of God’s creative work. I’ve never seen bluer skies or prettier landscapes than in the valleys between each mountain pass. The log cabin where we stay is rustic. It sports hardwood floors with woven area rugs, a large fireplace with a stone hearth that seats five people easily. Thank goodness for indoor plumbing and electricity. When the power fails, there is always an oil lamp just waiting to provide light in the dark night. And in the mountains when the power goes out, it is pitch black. Late at night when I’m laying in the four poster bed upstairs underneath a mound of warm block quilts, I cannot see the hand in front of my face. There are no phones or television sets. This is something I’ve come to truly appreciate. Sometimes we just need to get away from all the things that distract us, and simply dwell in the presence of God. Surrounded in His love, there is no other place I’d rather be.
The prophet Micah describes God’s holy mountain, Mount Zion, as a mountain above all others. It is a place where peoples from all over the earth will go to meet the Lord of life. There, He will teach us to walk in His ways, along paths of righteousness. His law will rule; His Word will reign. Jesus, the living Word of God, will reign on Zion.
I do not get to travel to the Colorado mountains as often I would like. Yet, I can climb the mountain of the Lord and sit in His holy presence every moment of every day, simply by calling out His name. Whenever we seek His face, He draws us closer along the mountain path. The beauty of the Lord surrounds us there, and we are forever changed by His grace and love. There is nothing more precious than going up the hill to the foot of cross. It is where we find covering for sin, communion with our Savior, and the fresh breath of everlasting life. Will you come and stand on the mountain top with me today? Jesus Christ is waiting to meet us there.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: an extraordinary view! Christ’s love is waiting for you on Mount Zion. Come and partake in the rapture of a soul ransomed by God’s amazing grace. Won’t you take a trip to God’s holy mountain with me today?
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