Higher Ground, Higher Power
Mountains and valleys are places every Christian will surely find themselves in. At some point, we all go through valleys, and at some point, we all find ourselves waving a victory flag on the mountaintop, knowing good and well we didn’t get there on our own.
Valleys are not easy to get through. They can be difficult, demanding, isolated, sparce, and you could risk getting lost. You need a map and a guide.
Our map is our Bible, and our guide is Jesus. Jesus promises He will never leave us or forsake us. In Psalm 23:4-5 it reads: Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. We can find comfort in knowing that no matter what we are going through, no matter how hard, Jesus is always there holding our hand, guiding us. He knows the way. When we make it through the valley, the Lord will move us to a higher place. At a higher elevation your perspective changes, you can see things differently. Going through valleys changes you, it strengthens you. You now have a testimony as you sit atop this mountain. Revelation 12:11 says: And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death. You can overcome the enemy and the war waged against you by your testimony! You have a testimony of how God brought you through that valley. There is power in your testimony!
Acts 1:8 says: Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. He has given us authority.
Authority is the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. Luke 10:19 says: Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you. The Holy Ghost gives us power! If you don’t have the wonderful free gift of the Holy Ghost, just ask God for it. Moses and Aaron were called to a higher position. As the leader of the Israelites and the High Priest, they came up against some opposition. Korah was Moses’ cousin. Korah along with 250 other “princes of the congregation,” did not understand why they had to take orders from Moses and Aaron. Short answer….because God said so. God had ordained Moses and Aaron to be in a higher position, and Korah couldn’t stop it.
By opposing Moses, he was opposing God. It didn’t end well for Korah. People can’t change what God is wanting to bless you with by putting you in a higher position. If God has ordained it, it will be. David is another example. As the Israelites gathered on one mountain, and the Philistines on another, they looked at the valley between them. When the champion Goliath emerged from the Philistine camp mocking and boasting about who he was and what he could do, fear spread through the Israelite army. But David had a testimony.
He had been given power over the paw of the bear and the paw of the lion that came against him. He was being trained in secret. While everyone saw the armor and impressiveness of Goliath, no one saw what God was doing in David’s life. But they were about to. David came forth with his testimony of how God delivered him, and his faith struck down Goliath.
David became king and in the bloodline to our Savior, Jesus. No matter what you are up against, remember whose you are. God will move you to higher ground, just hold on. With higher ground comes higher power.