Climb the highest mountain ∙

Climb the highest mountain ∙

A person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God. – Luke 12:21

Hebrews 11:24-26

 24 It was by faith that Moses when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.

 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.

 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.

The film “I’d Climb the Highest Mountain” was produced by Twentieth Century Fox and made its debut in 1951. Its narrative is derived from Corra May Harris’s 1910 novel, “A Circuit Rider’s Wife.” The plot revolves around a Methodist minister who, in 1910, is summoned to serve as a circuit rider in a remote mountain community in northern Georgia. Accompanied by his new bride, they find themselves in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The couple is a study in contrasts. William Lundigan hails from the deep South, while his wife, portrayed by Susan Hayward, is a city girl.

Lundigan assumes the role of a shepherd to his congregation, tending to their emotional and spiritual needs. However, the extreme isolation and poverty of the area present a daily challenge to the faith and resilience of his new marriage. Despite these hardships, Lundigan’s faith remains unshaken, and his inner strength proves more than adequate to guide his congregation through their trials. He fearlessly leads them through a severe epidemic, constantly teaching and spreading the message of the Father’s love. Indeed, Lundigan climbed the highest mountain.

Every child of the King faces their own set of challenges, one of the most significant being the setting of priorities and making necessary adjustments to fulfill them.

Scripture provides general guidelines applicable to every child of the King. Of utmost importance, it is incumbent upon every child of the King to put the Father first.

Exodus 20:2-5

 2 I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.

 3 You must not have any other god but me.

 4 You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.

 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.

Each of us has unique responsibilities that are part of His plan for us. These challenges often create tension. The tension is relieved by a simple but tough decision. Once and for all, we make a decision, to prioritize the Father’s will and calling above everything else. Once this pivotal decision is made, the remainder of life becomes a process of executing that decision. There’s always clarity about what needs to be done, eliminating any cause for tension.

This was the path chosen by Moses. He rejected the indulgent and sinful luxuries of Egypt and instead identified with the people of God, the nation of Israel. He sought a future reward given by the Father Himself. In a manner similar to the Lord Jesus Christ’s suffering for His people, Moses, too, faced hardship. He chose to bear mistreatment alongside the children of Israel rather than partake in the fleeting pleasures of sin with the Egyptians.

Hebrews 11:24-26

 24 By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,

 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,

 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.

REFLECT & PRAY

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose” (Jim Elliot).

Father encourage and strengthen me to climb the highest mountain that You have assigned to me. I want to be “All in.”

INSIGHT

In the film “Chariots of Fire,” Eric Liddell is portrayed as a man of deep convictions and unwavering priorities, especially when it comes to his faith. Liddell adamantly refuses to compete in the Olympics if it means compromising His commitment to the Father. He flatly refused to run on Sunday, which he considered the Lord’s Sabbath. He was accused of putting God before the King. Headline news read: “Olympic athlete Eric Liddell puts religion before country.” He prioritized Faith Over National Pride.

Liddell faces intense pressure from various officials, representatives of the British government, and the media. He is met with worldwide scorn, deemed by Britain as a traitor who “upheld a rigid regional piety on a global stage that required transcendent statesmanship.”

However, the tide dramatically turns when Liddell, feeling Father’s pleasure, wins his event and secures the gold medal, setting a new world record in the process. Overnight, he is transformed from a traitor to a celebrated international hero. But that’s not the end of the story. Liddell goes on to serve as a missionary in China, which he considers his grandest victory.

Liddell said, “. . . since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each of us is in a greater race than any I have run in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the medals” (christianity.org.uk).

Liddell learned from the apostle Paul that athletics, spirituality, and calling were perfect allies (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.”

Did Liddell receive earthly rewards for his endeavors before his life ended? No, the Father had a vastly different plan in store.

In the spring of 1943, when the Japanese invaded China, Liddell was incarcerated in a Japanese internment camp. Despite his predicament, he became a beacon of hope, love, and light within the camp. He devoted his time to teaching Bible classes, assisting the elderly, organizing recreational activities, and teaching science to children.

Did angels miraculously free him? Were the guards blinded, locks opened, allowing him to stroll out of the camp freely? Did a chariot of fire whisk him away? No, none of these occurred.

Liddell suffered from an incurable brain tumor and passed away on February 21, 1945, a mere five months before the camp’s liberation. According to a fellow missionary, Liddell’s last words were, “It’s complete surrender.” He was referring to giving his life to the Father. Liddell was “All in” until the very end. Eric Liddell did indeed climb the highest mountain. It led him into the presence of His heavenly Father.

Luke 12:21 A person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.

The Lord Jesus Christ warned all children of the King about harboring incorrect attitudes regarding wealth. The true richness of life is not found in financial prosperity but rather in a deep and meaningful relationship with the Father. Instead of promising wealth and comfort, the Lord Jesus Christ foretold of challenges, resistance, and persecution. However, a close relationship with the Father and intimacy with Him far outweighs the value of any material goods.

“There is a story of a conversation between an ambitious youth and an older man who knew life. Said the young man, ‘I will learn my trade.’ ‘And then?’ said the older man. ‘I will set up in business.’ ‘And then?’ ‘I will make my fortune.’ ‘And then?’ ‘I suppose that I shall grow old and retire and live on my money.’ ‘And then?’ ‘Well, I suppose that someday I will die.’ ‘And then?’ came the last stabbing question” (Barclay).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 8-23-1

© Dr. H 2023