Mountain Mover

Psalm 72.1-7; 18-19

Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness.

He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice.

The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.

He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor.

He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.

He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.

In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more.

Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.

Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.

Amen and Amen

Written for University Baptist Church's annual Advent Devotional (December 6, 2013)

Mountains are majestic! Everest, McKinley, Kilimanjaro, Rainier! Climbers, cyclists, and adventurers are drawn by their challenge and power. The greatest thrill I ever experienced on my bike was tackling Clingman's Dome, a Cat 1 climb, in the Smokies. Mountains take our breath away literally and figuratively, but they also overwhelm and defeat us. The view from the top is indescribable, but traversing or ascending them is daunting, physically demanding, and even deadly. Moving them? Unthinkable!

Hebrew and Christian scripture includes the word mountain, or some form of it, 576 times. The Psalmist indicates they bring good, however there are many instances in which readers encounter mountains of doubt, danger, and destruction. Abraham took his beloved son Isaac to Mount Moriah to sacrifice him in obedience to Yahweh. Mark indicates that if our faith in God is sufficient, we can move mountains. And Luke prophesies that believers will be able to call upon mountains to provide for their protection.

Mountains are complicated not unlike the One who created them. This is as it should be. God takes our breath away; he provides our ultimate protection; he can undo us like nothing else; and he demands sacrifice we often find ourselves incapable of making. Have you prayed to the King that created mountains to move the ones you face? It takes courage, boldness, and faith. Do it! Watch the God of Israel do marvelous deeds. If you believe the obstacles in your life cannot be overcome, they may not be. However, if you cling to the One who moves mountains and beg him to do so, you may end up more breathless than when you gaze upon the vast expanse. Name your mountain. Seek the Mountain Mover. He crushes; he endures; he does marvelous deeds. "Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory."