Listen Here, Mountain | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

As I was meditating on the previous post ("Give Me This Mountain"), I realized that I still hadn't touched on "speaking to the mountain" (Mark 11:23).  One of the most valuable benefits of "the climb" (or the situations we face) is that, once we've climbed a particular mountain--that is, experienced situations that ultimately lead to our transformation in some area of our mind, will and emotions--we shouldn't have to climb it again.  I know that sounds elementary, but so many of us Christians have compromised our witness because our lives are spent CLIMBING mountains instead of COMMANDING them.

You see, standing on a mountain peak is representative of the deliverances we experience.  This breathtaking image is a most fitting picture of our souls' triumphs over darkness because, when we're standing at the top of a mountain, it's literally under our feet.  So everything we've been delivered from--whether it be fornication, low self-esteem, high-mindedness, whatever-- is a manifested deliverance representative of a mountain we've climbed (or the end of a series of situations undergone resulting in us conquering something within us).

Now be warned: mountains reappear...I mean, it just wouldn't be accurate to say that, once conquered, they go away and NEVER come back.  After all, this isn't a fairy tale, it's life.  Therefore, it's in our best interest to be prepared for WHEN the mountain reappears.  Our mindset should be that of a champion or a conquerer. We must remember that any reappearing mountain has ALREADY been under our feet. (This is why we must rehearse via praise and thanksgiving our past victories and how GOD has snatched us from the grip of the kingdom of darkness.) As champions, WE DETERMINE whether to contend with an opponent that has been previously defeated; and as Christians, WE DETERMINE whether we climb the same mountain again.  In my mind, I've determined that since I don't have to climb those mountains again, I simply won't again. There's no need to endure the hardships required to stand on a mountain peak I've already stood upon.

So this is where it becomes of great importance to open our mouths and speak to our mountains.  As a matter of fact, this is our opportunity to invoke, if your will, our inner Cassius Clay (or Muhammed Ali). It may sound silly, but you've got permission to talk noise--and much of it.  We need to brag on our GOD and how He delivered us; how He's already put this mountain under our feet and how we refuse to climb it again.  Declare boldly to the mountain who the Word says you are in GOD and command it--yes, I said COMMAND IT--to be gone in Jesus' name.  When we do so in faith, that old nature--represented by the mountain--MUST do as it is commanded.  It has no choice because the exercising of our faith has our works ("the climb") attached to it, thereby making the mountain no match for a made up, renewed mind.  As for me, I've already toiled and sweat, cried and bled over this; and I don't plan to endure such hardship again over the same foolishness. And in 2011, friends, you shouldn't either.