"Oh Zion, that bringest good tidings, GET THEE UP INTO THE HIGH MOUNTAIN!"  Isaiah 40:9

The word "mountain" used here means "a range of hills." It speaks to us of high places in God (Is 57:13, Ps 48:1, Joel 3:17). And while there are several mountaintop realms in God, the "high mountain" represents the highest of these peaks. Like Mt. Zion, which was the highest peak in its mountain range, God is bringing forth a people who will be walking in the highest place in Him. Yes, there are hills of all sizes and we can be quite happily playing on the lower peaks. But we are admonished to get up into the high mountain - the mountain that towers above all others so that indeed the waters of life can flow out to all of mankind and the radiating light of the full glory of God will not be hidden by other peaks.

Yes, life in the high mountain is different - the vegetation (word) requires stronger teeth and stomachs to digest it, and the pleasures of the valley are discernible only as clouds (vapour). But here is where we have to make our abode if we are to portray the law and the word of God. As Isaiah 2:2-3 tells us, God's kingdom, authority or rule will be established in the highest heights and all nations shall flow unto it for from thence will be flowing the law and the word.

Brothers and sisters, creation is longing to come into the peace and liberty of God. It is up to us to be the ones willing to leave the comforts of the valley (doctrines and practices to which we are accustomed) and rise up in God. It is up to us to forego all else and set our hearts and minds to know the Lord, 'til all our beings are so fully tuned to Him that our every action becomes the outflowing of a heart set athrob by His stirring within. We need not fear the heights for God Himself prepares a pasture there for us (Ezek 34:14), God Himself directs our steps (Is 49:9). And when it seems that the path has never been so steep, then the Lord girds us with strength and makes our feet like hinds' feet (Ps 18:32,33). As the hinds can always be found in the highest places, so God has made us to soar in Him and to remain there.

Nature itself teaches us that a city set on a hill cannot be hid. So God has raised us up and seated us in heavenly places in Christ Jesus that in the ages to come, He can show forth His grace through us (Eph 2:6,7). It is God's will and purpose that we demonstrate to all the manifold wisdom of God; that we unfold the mystery of His being and His dealings in mankind (Eph 3:9,10). But this is only possible as we ourselves appropriate that which God has already accomplished in us by His word. God has already done all that He needs to do. He has already broken the power of everything in our lives that would separate us from Him. Jesus Himself shared with us: "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matt 28:18). "All" means every power there is. Therefore we can have confidence that nothing will happen in our lives that He does not allow. Furthermore, nothing that happens to us takes God by surprise. Rather, it is God who is ordering our steps, so as He prepared the whale for Jonah, God custom fits each situation to our needs.

So fear not to come away from the manna of yesterday and to leave behind the cushiony palettes that appealed to the flesh. Let us set our faces to behold the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone that we may walk experientially and continually, in the high mountain, for thereto are we commanded: