Saturday 26 February 2011

Revelation from the peaks

Ben Nevis, in Fort William

The Highlands in Scotland now possess a little piece of my heart. Having just spent a few days in the town of Fort William, snuggled at the foot of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Britain, the beauty of the place completely won me over. Towering mountains surround this small town. Typical Scottish weather meant it was damp and overcast much of the time we were there, obscuring much of our view, but there were tantalizing glimpses of the peaks.

Majesty shrouded in mystery.

Show me a mountain and I feel a surge of adrenalin as I imagine climbing to the top and feeling the exhilaration of my reward of seeing the view from the top. I did in fact climb to the top of Ben Nevis, about 10 years ago, and was well rewarded for my efforts! These days I have to be content with ascending via gondolas, or walking around in the foothills with my 5 year old in tow – but we’re working on his walking skills : )

It struck me this week how much of my experience of God has taken place on the mountain peaks.


It was on Mount Sinai that I was broken before a Holy God who revealed His Law to Moses.

It was from the Sermon on the Mount that I was undone as the full extent of the Law was expounded by Jesus.

It was from a high mountain that I bowed before the revelation of the Glory of Jesus as He was transfigured before His disciples.

It was from a hill called Golgotha that Jesus Himself paid the penalty for my sins against a Holy God through His atoning death, which bought my redemption, forgiveness of sins, and reconciliation with my Heavenly Father.

It was from the Mount of Olives that the Risen Jesus ascended to Heaven to become my High Priest and Mediator, interceding for me at the right hand of His Father.

I believe it will be to the Mount of Olives that Jesus will return again, to bring salvation to His Bride, and when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord, to the Glory of His Father.


God reveals Himself from the mountains. The apostle John recounts: “One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God” (Rev 21:9-10).

In these days in which we are living, I believe we would all do well to cry out to God to take us to the tops of the mountains in order that He may grant us to see with a clearer vision.


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 all nations will stream to it.
Many peoples 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.
He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore."
(Isaiah 2:2-4)

15 comments:

  1. Wow Diana! This is an awesome observation you have made about the mountains of Scripture! I will be looking at the mountains outside my window with new eyes now.

    Thank you and God bless you!

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  2. "Show me a mountain and I feel a surge of adrenalin as I imagine climbing to the top and feeling the exhilaration of my reward of seeing the view from the top." I too have a special love for mountains. I've spent every summer of my childhood in the alps. Your scriptural observations and reflection are beautifully edifying! Love and blessings!

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  3. @Diane - yes, it suddenly hit me this week too! God bless you, my sister.

    @Petra - I was thinking of adding it's a good job I don't live near the Alps or Himalayas when I want to get to the top of the mountains -it would be a bit more of a challenge than the mountains of Britain!! I am envious of your summer childhood experience. Love to you x

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  4. Diana,
    You go away for a week and come back with a message for us all. Profound.

    I'm undone. This is nothing less than a jaw-dropping, God-glorifying, sermon-worthy post.

    I have no other recourse but to shout it from the mountaintops...and share it far and wide:)
    -E

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  5. Diana this is so breathtaking....I had to share it! I live in the "Mountain State" of West Virginia, and even though compared to most they are really hills but my Mountains here are home for now on my journey. I always end somewhere in those mountains hiking and talking to God when things are tough, I am reminded because of your amazing insight to look at and enjoy our Mountains not only in time of pain but time of rejoicing as well. I heard someone say yesterday "Son, if the mountain was smooth you couldn't climb it". Amen! Loved this Diana! Thank you!

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  6. I love that, Teresa!

    "Son, if the mountain was smooth you couldn't climb it!"

    How true. God gives us footholds where we can steady our way<3
    -E

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  7. Elizabeth - you really have left me speechless by your comment! Bless you my dear, precious sister. Thank you for dwelling in the mountains and calling us upwards.

    Teresa - I love that comment about the mountains not being smooth too. My mountains have been very rocky, many difficult footholds and handholds, and after slipping down at times I have wondered if I would ever make it to the top.

    Thank God that "He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights." (Psalm 18:33).

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  8. Diana,

    My city is surrounded by mountains... now you left me with lots of things to think about every time I'll see them; like Diane said, "I will be looking at the mountains outside my window with new eyes now."

    And yes, I pray the same prayer you pray, May God grant us to see with a clearer vision!

    Love you lots!

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  9. Forgot to say... I love how the conversations always build up around your posts. Every time you post a new entry, it is like coming to you home at 5:00 PM to have tea :)

    Thank you for hosting us!

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  10. Becky - it is truly my pleasure to host tea for you :)

    I am envious of all you folks who seem to live in areas surrounded by mountains - I live in what must be one of the flattest parts of our country!! But that only makes me appreciate those mountains all the more when I finally get to see them :)

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  11. Diana,

    This post was nothing short of a joy and a pleasure to read. What God honoring and exalting reflections you have returned with! Thank you for sharing them and for increasing my faith and edifying my inner-man with these beautiful and majestic reflections!

    Lord bless you my dear friend!

    Love you dearly!

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  12. Just as pertinent this year as it was last year. Just as profound.
    Thank you for re-posting, Diana.
    -E

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    1. Given the silence of the mountains this year I was encouraged to read this post from last year - one of the blessings of having a blog ;)

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  13. Diana,

    I read this post for the first time as I didn't see it when you wrote it last year. I am so glad you reposted it so it was brought to my attention. Ditto to what our dear friends have shared. Truly a profound and God glorifying post.

    "In these days in which we are living, I believe we would all do well to cry out to God to take us to the tops of the mountains in order that He may grant us to see with a clearer vision."

    Amen, dear sister, amen!

    Ruth

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    1. Bless you, Ruthie, thanks for your encouragement ♥

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