On a mountain with God.

A few weeks ago my husband and I attended a marriage retreat weekend where one night the four couples attending had a chance to minister unto one another. I experienced a prophetic word for one of the ladies where Jesus invited her to come up the mountain to hear what He wanted to share with her during this season. And although the word was for her, I have since been pondering the thought of being on a mountain with God much more.

Looking up the instances in the New Testament where Jesus and a mountain are mentioned has been such a joy and an adventure. I was made aware anew how precious and necessary mountain time is. It is the core of connecting with God: prayer and fasting.

The times we read about Jesus on the mountain, were not only for Him to spend time with the Father in prayer (Matt 14:23, Mark 6:46) but it is where He taught the disciples and sometimes even large crowds (Matt 5:1). It is where He called the disciples (Mark 3:13). It is where a great supernatural meeting took place (Matt 17:1-13). It is where He fed thousands (John 6). It is where He healed many (Matt 15:29-31). And I still haven't found all the Scriptures, these are just a few!

If you need healing, go to the mountain. If you need to be fed, go to the mountain. If you are being called, go to the mountain. If you long to be taught and discipled by Jesus, go to the mountain. If you want to be like Jesus and know the Father, go to the mountain. If you need a supernatural meeting, go to the mountain. Remember, the mountain in this instance means a place physically where if need be you can be alone with Him and also a place within yourself, quieting yourself and setting your mind on Him. The mountain is the place you go to be with Him.

We need the mountain because we desperately need Him.

So why do we not just go to the mountain? In the Old Testament mountains are a common picture of a meeting place with God, but the picture I want to take time to mention now is when the people of God were so afraid to approach the mountain that they sent Moses to speak to God for them (Ex 20:18-21). The author of Hebrews touches on this, that we no longer have to be afraid to come to the mountain like they were because we partake in the New Covenant (Heb 12:18-29). When we don't go to the mountain, there can be many reasons but what I have usually found is that it stems from a place of fear. Fear of being corrected, of being seen for who I really am, for not being enough, for having done something wrong or disappointing - there are many things, but the root is usually fear and many times even though we don't think about it, this fear is only the cover story for pride. Not wanting to be corrected is pride. Not wanting to be seen, when we are completely seen and known by God is also a form of pride, we underestimate who He is. And I can go on, but my point is not to scold anyone.

My point is this - We need the mountain because we need God and if you struggle to go to the mountain then bring that before the Lord and lay yourself aside so that He can show you why you struggle. Be open to being corrected and convicted. Be open to being loved. I will share more soon about how discipline equals love.

So invite you to go to the mountain! Let Him teach you, call you, love you, heal you and be made known to you. Our perspective becomes higher and we are able to see what He wants to do or is busy doing when we ascend the mountain to be with God. The season to draw near is here. Position yourself to be close to Him, forsaking the known for the unknown. Great things are ahead.

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”

1Corinthians 2:9 ESV