A few years ago, the Lord blessed my wife, LaVonne, and i with a “mountaintop” experience of a lifetime. He orchestrated events so we could enjoy ten days of extended quiet time with Him in an upper room in the city of Jerusalem. It was not “the” upper room where the apostles gathered; but for us personally, it was our “upper room”. It was a place where the Lord permitted us to wait before Him, to hear His voice, to experience His presence, and to be renewed through the filling of His Spirit. Though i know that He is able to do those things in my life wherever i am – whenever i am willing to be still before Him – it was an added blessing to do so there in Jerusalem where the Lord Himself says that He will one day make His home among His people.(1)
As we ate our meals on the rooftop overlooking the city, we could hear the joy of children laughing and playing in the near distance, mixed with the sounds of gentle breezes and the chirping of birds. i envisioned – as best i could – what that day will be like when our Lord returns to make His home there among His people.
As the time drew to a close, i knew that we could not tarry there – any more than Peter, James and John were able to tarry with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.(2) The time quickly arrived for us to “come down from our mountain” or (if you will permit) from our “upper room”. Life awaited us down at the base of the mountain – the day-to-day stuff of life, with its many opportunities and challenges, and the activities that i so often allow to distract me. As it turned out, a valley awaited just two weeks later, when the Lord called my mother home to glory. But as i remember those days with Him in that upper room, i am also mindful that He walked down from the mountain with us and into that valley. As a matter of fact, He was – and is – true to His promise: He never left us nor forsook us.(3)
We read in the Gospel of Luke that there on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus, Moses and Elijah “were speaking about Jesus’s {upcoming} exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.”(4)Jesus knew that in eight months’ time He would be crucified. He would be led up another hill – this time to be nailed to a cross. Think about it! The Father had sent Moses and Elijah to encourage Jesus in what He was about to walk through. But i think He had another purpose. The Father was bearing witness to His Son. Remember, Jesus doesn’t “do” random. He had taken Peter, James and John with Him for a purpose. They were there to bear witness ... to us! Peter would later write, “… we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw His majestic splendor with our own eyes when He received honor and glory from God the Father…. We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.”(5)
And when the Father’s purpose was accomplished on the mountain, Jesus led the disciples back down to continue with the rest of their journey below. Ministry awaited them. Crowds were expecting them. The Cross was before Him. Suffering and death awaited in the path ahead. But the Master had given Peter, James and John a special opportunity – a day to remember – a day on the mountain to bear witness that God would accomplish His purpose through it all. He would use the valleys just as He uses the hilltops to bring glory to His name. And the greatest opportunities to bear witness would most often occur in those days in the valley. Those days, when everything seems to be falling apart, would be the days they – and we – would need to be reminded of the hilltop. They – and we – would need to be reminded that the same One who is Lord over the hilltop is Lord over the valley.
His grace and strength are sufficient no matter where we find ourselves. His majestic splendor reigns over it all, and He will use it all for His glory.
As we walk with the Master, He will permit us to have days on the hilltop – opportunities to see His glory on display. His purpose will be to encourage us, but it will also be for us to bear witness to His goodness and His glory in the days that lie ahead. For some of us, that last hilltop day may feel like it was a lifetime ago. A lot of “life” has probably happened since then. It may only be a faint memory. And you may find yourself right now in the midst of a “valley”. If so, take a few moments to reflect on that day on the hilltop, consider His glory and His goodness, and be reminded that He’s Lord over it all. He’s there with you in the valley, just as He was on the mountain. And He will see you through it all!
Tauren Wells recorded a great worship song that expresses this truth. As a matter of fact, i borrowed the title of this post from that song. Below are the lyrics and a link. Take a few minutes to listen to it, and be reminded that God is right there with you … no matter where you are.
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A portion of this post is excerpted from Walking With The Master, chapter 37 entitled “A Day To Remember”. This fourth book in the Lessons Learned In The Wilderness series is available through Amazon in print and for your e-reader. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy.
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(1) Joel 3:21
(2) Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36
(3) Hebrews 13:5
(4) Luke 9:31 (NLT)
(5) 2 Peter 1:16-18 (NLT)
Copyright © 2021 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.
Photo by Steve Halama on Unsplash
Hills and Valleys
I've walked among the shadows
You wiped my tears away
And I've felt the pain of heartbreak
And I've seen the brighter days
And I've prayed prayers to heaven from my lowest place
And I have held Your blessings
God, You give and take away
No matter what I have, Your grace is enough
No matter where I am, I'm standing in Your love
On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the One who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the One who sees me there
When I'm standing on the mountain, I didn't get there on my own
When I'm walking through the valley, I know I am not alone!
You're God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
I've watched my dreams get broken
In You I hope again!
No matter what, I know
I'm safe inside Your hand
On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the One who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the One who sees me there
When I'm standing on the mountain, I didn't get there on my own
When I'm walking through the valley, I know I am not alone!
You're God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
Father, You give and take away
Every joy and every pain
Through it all You will remain
Over it all!
(Repeat)
On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the One who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the One who sees me there
When I'm standing on the mountain, I didn't get there on my own
When I'm walking through the valley, I know I am not alone!
You're God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
And I will choose to say "Blessed be Your name"
And I am not alone
Songwriters: Chuck Butler / Jonathan Lindley Smith / Tauren Wells