Mountains

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhxSJlwzrws

Speak to the Mountains ~ Church of the City

I look up to the mountains;

    does my strength come from mountains?

No, my strength comes from God,

    who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

~ Psalm 121:1-2 MSG

Being sick is the pits! Truly, all trials are at least annoying and more often terrifying and draining. But what do we do when we’re stuck in these pits, these trials of sickness and affliction? We cry out for help. David was no different. 

I’ve heard that Bible scholars believe when David wrote Psalm 121, he was looking at the mountains for the soldiers who would pass over them. Because mountains have always been a symbol of strength, an immovable force, David might have been looking to the mountains searching for help. Don’t we all look to the mountains in our lives for help?

When we’re sick, don’t we look to doctors, medicine, or supplements to make us well? When we - or our loved ones - are battling addiction or mental/emotional distress, don’t we look to counselors and therapists for the answers? Of course we do, because those are the tools God gave us to help during trials. But those are tools and created things, which was David’s point when he answered his own question, “Does my strength come from the mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.”

In Revelation 1:8, Jesus reminds us who He is, “I am the Alpha and the Omega...who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” From beginning to ending, as the Almighty, Jesus is and will supply everything we’ll ever need. When we’re sick, Jehovah Rapha is our healer. When we’re feeling lost, Jehovah Raah is our Shepherd and guide. When we’re feeling abandoned and alone, Jehovah Shammah is the Lord who’s there. When we’re in the fight for our lives, our marriage, or our families, Jehovah Nissi is the Banner over us.

Whatever you’re in need of today, remember your help and strength don’t come from the created things that God will use. Your help comes from the Creator, Himself, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfiYWaeAcRw

Shoulders ~ for KING & COUNTRY

©Heather Potts 2021

When Plans Change

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glent8xwAL4

Walking Like Giants ~ Stars Go Dim

I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. ~ Psalm 121:1-2 MSG

Did you ever expect plans to work one way, and ended up surprised when God took you in another direction?

In February 2006, I really started growing in my faith in Jesus. The more I leaned in, the more He revealed to me. One day, I confessed my dream of wanting to be a writer. God told me that I needed to get baptized, first. In October 2006, I was baptized in the Gulf of Mexico.

Looking back, I laugh at how silly I was: I expected that the very next day, I'd be handed a writing position or something similar. It wasn't the next day, and it wasn't a writing position. Five months later, I started working in at a large newspaper, as an Advertising Assistant. In 2008, God told me to start a Bible Study at work. I reminded God that it was a newspaper and they didn't like Him there. He said, "I know. Do it anyway." It was a small group, but we always looked forward to it. Then something wonderful happened: God started depositing seeds in my heart, words to share with the group throughout the week. I began writing, sending encouraging emails that were inspired by God. He kept His word. It wasn't in my timing and it didn't look the way I thought it would, but my dream was all about me and His plan included me.

If there's a dream or passion you're aiming for, don't give up—not on the dream or on God. He's got big plans and they include you. They may take longer than you'd like and may take you places you never expected you'd go, but say, "Yes!" to Jesus and He'll keep His promises to you. He's faithful to His Word!

©Heather Potts 2020