Psalm 27:5

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble

He will conceal me under the cover of his tent

He will lift me high upon a rock.

Abba,

My hope and confidence is not found in my ability to “pull myself up by my own bootstraps.” 

An army encamped against David.  War has risen.  He faces dire and terrible circumstances. 

He does not fear.  His heart remains confident.

Not because of strength or prowess that he possess; not for strategy and might of his own arm.

Rather, because you, His God, take all the initiative to hide, to conceal, to lift him high above the fray. 

His confidence is not shaken because it is placed in someone and something greater than himself; namely You, our great El Shaddai!  There is no amount of human strength, combined or otherwise, that can compete with such raw power, authority, and strength. 

No, indeed…there is no such thing as self salvation to be found.

You Hide.

You conceal.

In YOUR Tent

Under the Cover of YOUR Shelter

YOU Lift up to a place of refuge and safety.

You do.

We receive.

You are active.

We are passive.

Jesus, I have stood upon mountain tops, those rocks, high and lifted up above all the rest of the world around it.  From the top, you can see for miles.  It has always amazed me how far the eye can see when it has an unobstructed view.

From this perch, the land spreads before us in a vast array of beauty.  It seems impossible for the human eye to take in the myriad of colors, shapes, landscape, and life that the light exposes.  The sky above stands open with a gentle blue, with clouds floating by, dotted with winged creature exploring the heights of the vast expanse.

It is a view that so captures one’s heart and passions to ensnare them with a longing to never leave.  It awakens a contentment and desire that  puts all of life and its troubles into perspective.  And perhaps, if only for a moment, it seems to lessen the weight of the burdens life in the valley brings. 

Having glimpsed this lofty view and taken in its beauty and majesty, it is a wonder that we can live like it does not exist.

And yet, after having seen it, when we find ourselves in the valley again, forgetfulness is the very real curse we face.

In the valley, a number of things may be true.

Sight is blocked by the very hills, mountains, and landscape that afforded that vast and all encompassing view.  The larger view is quickly forgotten, blocked by the obstacles of the valley.  The very things that seemed so awe inspiring from the mountain top now seem overwhelmingly large and obtrusive.

Light is blocked and more of the land is cast into shadow.  The bright clear view of the hill top view seems like a dream, make believe, and only embraced by the naïve and innocent.

The terrain is more rugged and rough.  Travel becomes treacherous and labor some.  Every step and action seeming to require the strength necessary to move the very mountain blocking our way.

The sky, once an inspiration of gentleness, tranquility, and peace, now seems to mock and condescend. 

That grand view, once glimpsed from up high, is soon forgotten as the obstacles take center stage.  The grand picture is forgotten and the immediate roadblock takes precedent.

Over time, we forget.  We become consumed with the small view of our world, of our circumstance and we forget that something more grand exists.  We forget the big picture; if we ever truly saw it or understood it.  We forget the safety and refuge of the hill.

Abba, this is the profound nature of being “lifted up.” 

To be taken out of the valley…

Out of the limited view of our own lives…

Removed from the shadow and darkness…

Away from the obstacles and dangers…

To be be taken from the deluge…

And placed upon the hill…

It is to be taken from a place of trouble and turmoil

And given a place of rest, of safety, of refuge.

Spirit, we know that the obstacles of life are necessary.  We know that our valley moments are critical in our journey with you.  In fact, without those moments, the mountain, the hill means very little.  We know that what we view as obstacles, you view as stepping stones that lead us to you.  And while we don’t enjoy it, we accept that as a divine means to make us you like you, Jesus.  For this reason, they are of a value far more infinite than we often give them credit for.

But oh, the hill, the rock, the refuge!  Having faced the valley, having been in the mire and strife of shadow, perhaps being there at present…we long for, ache for, and crave the mountain refuge that you are for us!  We find great joy in the truth, Abba, that you are our shelter, our covering, and that you LIFT US UP to the rock, above the fray, free from shadow; a place of refuge and safety.  We long for the day when you restore the world to all that your grand design intends it to be!

But while we wait, while we exist in the valley, may we remember this truth…YOU ARE the mountain!  YOU ARE the rock upon which we stand, even in the valley!  You, oh great God are the place of refuge and protection.  And even while we face the many “obstacles” of life, you are the high place for us.

What comfort this gives to our hearts, oh God! 

Whether we be in the valley or on the mountaintop, may we worship the truth that YOU ARE our rock. You ARE our refuge. You ARE our safety from danger. You ARE our high view and in you there is no need for fear.