It's Not The Climb

‎Saturday, ‎February ‎20, ‎2021

Good Morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 17:9

He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

Memory of the month: Isaiah 41:13 For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Today's reading: LEVITICUS 26-27 MARK 2 (THE VOICE)

It Is Not The Climb

The message of the first beatitude is "Blessed are the poor in spirit ... " (Matthew 5:3)

The man worked all his life to make a lot of money. He worked to do the things that only extraordinary men accomplish. He went around the world many, many times. He literally climbed the highest mountain and that after fifty years of age.

The bull was tied to a post and left until the hands could get it all together to transport him to a new herd. When the men returned, all they found was a broken rope. One of the men said, "Wherever he is, he still has a rope around his neck".

Psalm 73:6 Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them. 7From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.…

"Blessed are the poor in spirit ... " (Matthew 5:3)

The little train that kept saying, "I think I can"--

The song that says, "It's not the mountain, it's the climb"--

"No pain no gain"--

These all appeal to one thing: the ego of mankind.

This philosophy of the world says we should always say, "I think I can".

God says we should say, "I know I cannot, God, You must". Ego driven labor can never earn salvation.

Matthew 19: 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The song says it's not the mountain but the climb. Jesus said that it's not the mountain, but the faith it takes to move the mountain-not moved by the man-but moved for him.

Mark 11: 23“Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him.

The world says 'no pain, no gain'. The scripture says that the pain of the Lord Jesus was for our peace:

"But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53

Those who know the humility that God intends for us that we learn only from Him-not climbing the mountain but living on our knees-not believing you can climb the mountain but knowing God can move it-not even all the lessons from the pain in this life...

...those who know that humility know His peace.

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid, John 14:27.

Man is driven by pride or led in God's peace.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

I am full of my own stuff-my pride-desire for control-not willing to humble myself before you-I am addicted to how I endure pain and the lessons from it.

Have mercy on me, I am the chief of sinners.

Thank you, Lord.

Merciful and gracious God.

In Jesus name,

Amen