Facing The Mountains

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. Isaiah 7:9b NIV

Isaiah spoke these words on behalf of God to King Ahaz when his heart was shaken by the threat of the enemy. God sent Isaiah to reassure Ahaz that the threats against him would amount to nothing, and to help him understand the important role that faith played in his success. With this passage in mind I look at the picture above and I am reminded of various the times in my life when God has asked me to stand in faith and trust that I am safe because I’ve surrendered control to Him. In those times, like the man in the picture, I look at all the mountains in front of me, not knowing the trail on which God will lead me through them, but trusting that He will. I realize that there will be both upward climbs and downward slopes to be navigated but standing in His presence I rely on His strength and rest in His peace.

The Bible has much to say about God’s desire for us to trust Him to lead us:

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16a NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5 NLT

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 NIV

As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Romans 10:11 NIV

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. John 16:13a NIV

So if you are facing mountains today and have no idea how to navigate through them, trust in the Lord to guide your path. He will show you how to proceed one step at a time.

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” Isaiah 30:15a NIV