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

Butt Co

Taste and see that the LORD is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

~ Psalm 34:8 NLT

The second day of our move to Wisconsin was crazy! Not too far into our drive, our rental truck was acting up, so we pulled off the highway and waited for the mechanic to help us. Somehow the truck reset itself and we were fine. But a few miles down the road, the same thing happened and we pulled off again. This time, it would take a mechanic 89 minutes to get to us. During our long wait, I tried to take the girls to a playground across a 6-lane highway, but I turned wrong. Unfortunately, by the time we got there and went to the bathroom, Brad was ready and we had to leave, because we wanted to get through the major cities on Sunday.

Twenty miles later, we were tensely driving through heavy Atlanta traffic. And then hours later, we began traveling through the Tennessee mountains. I could feel the tension in my whole body, as I worried about Brad driving the huge truck up the mountains. As I looked at the cliffs on either side, I said, “I need a scripture to bring me peace.” And Holy Spirit reminded me of Psalm 34:8, which is often interpreted as experiencing God’s goodness. Because of His Word, my perspective changed. Instead of being intimidated and fearful by my surroundings, I enjoyed the beauty and was awed and inspired by all that I saw. A little while later, as we sat in a traffic jam, I was reminded of the sign I had seen just before we’d had the truck issues. It was then that I realized we had just entered Butt County, Georgia when all the truck issues began. I laughed so hard—a much needed release.

Don’t you just love how the story of your day changes when you see it through the heart of the Lord?

Holy Spirit changed my day, attitude, and outlook, simply by reminding me to experience the goodness of the Lord. What’s going on in your life that needs a change of perspective? Ask the Lord to help you experience His goodness and joy, even in the middle of Butt County.

©Heather Potts 2017