“Awake O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you O Lord among the peoples, I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” Psalm 108:2-4
I recently finished re-reading The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan and was greatly blessed once again by this literary masterpiece. Each chapter in this allegory is so rich in biblical wisdom that one can keep a blog going simply by unraveling the layers of truth and deeper meaning symbolized by a character or place – such as The Delectable Mountains.
Pilgrims: “Whose Delectable Mountains are these?”
Shepherds: “These mountains are Immanuel’s Land, and they are within sight of his city…”
I do think that out of God’s goodness and mercy, He allows us to pause briefly from our respective journeys and sets us upon a vantage point where He gives us a glimpse of heaven. In our own Delectable Mountains, we, like the pilgrims, are refreshed and strengthened so that we can keep going until we reach our celestial gate.
“So wait before the Lord; Wait in the stillness. And in that stillness, assurance will come to you. You will know that you are heard; you will know that your Lord ponders the voice of your humble desires; you will hear quiet words spoken to you yourself, perhaps to your grateful surprise and refreshment.” -Amy Carmichael
I am presently celebrating my birthday in Europe with my husband and we just had an opportunity to admire the Swiss and French Alps via Lake Geneva or Lac Leman. To say that these mountains are beautiful is an understatement. As a believer, I could not look at them and not be in awe of the God who created them; the God who created me.
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”Psalm 139:14
I am thankful for the gift of life and this time of rest. But I am even more thankful that this life is not about me and that I get to participate in the story that our God has written for His glory through His Son Jesus Christ who is my Lord and Savior. During this time away from work, His Spirit has filled me with a renewed sense of wonder of who Jesus is, whose fingerprints I see all around me.
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:6
Like the psalmist, I am rejoicing in my Maker. I will not remain in this physical place of rest forever, but I can rest my heart in Him all the days of my life. Here in my Delectable Mountains, He has reminded me of His glory and splendor, and that to be satisfied in Him alone, remains my highest call. Joy is delighting in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is and will be my joy wherever He takes me.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory…” 1 Peter 1:8
Lamp unto my feet 