A Path Among the Rocks

 With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.  Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming…… He is coming to save you.”  Isaiah 35:3-4 (NLT)

In 2015, a movie (entitled Everest) was made about the Mount Everest disaster that occurred on May 10, 1996.  Eight climbers perished in a blizzard that hit while they were on the mountain.  The movie was a heart wrenching account of both those that survived and those that didn’t.   After watching the movie, I watched several documentaries to learn more about the process of what it takes to actually attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest. 

The most important thing I learned about trying to climb Mount Everest is that you don’t do it alone.  You have to have help.  The movie highlighted the people group called Sherpas that live in the regions of Napal and Tibet.  They were and still are the guides and helpers for those climbers that want to try the mountain.   These Sherpas are amazing.  They can climb without oxygen when others have to have it.  They can handle the extreme conditions much better than people from other parts of the world who come to climb the mountain.  In doing some research for this blog post, I learned that in a 2010 study, more than 30 genetic factors were identified that make Sherpas well-suited for high altitudes.  One of the genes identified is called the “super-athlete gene” that regulates the body’s production of hemoglobin, “allowing for greater efficiency in the use of oxygen.”  That made a lot of sense because what they are able to do in trekking up and down a mountain that is 29,032 feet high, a normal person could not do.

I believe that Jesus gives us an extra special ability as well.  And that is to be equipped to strengthen those that are struggling – weak in their faith – overwhelmed by the spiritual “blizzards” that can hit us all unexpectedly.  Whether that’s the loss of a job, a medical diagnosis that isn’t good, or a loved one who struggles with life and the problems that come with it, whether that’s addiction, depression, anxiety or any number of other things that make this life seem an impossible climb. 

 In our verse today, Isaiah receives a directive from God to give a message to God’s people.  The message was a message of hope, encouragement, and strengthening.  God’s people were struggling, discouraged, fearful of the future. 

It doesn’t take much of a stretch for us to be able to relate to how God’s people felt.  Life is hard.  Sometimes it feels like we are climbing our own personal Mount Everests every day.  But God knew that life would be hard, and knowing this, Jesus encouraged His disciples from the very beginning of His ministry.  He was the ultimate encourager.  He reassured them that, while in this world, they would have trouble (John 16:33), but to take heart because He has overcome the world. That encouragement is for us too.   

If you are struggling today with anything, I want to encourage you to take heart; be strengthened through the Word of God that explains the promises of God.  If God is for you, who can be against you (Romans 8:31).  If you know how to give gifts to your loved ones, how much more will God give you what you need (Matthew 7:11).  He is mighty to save (Zephaniah 3:17) and He is coming for you (Isaiah 35:4). 

You are not on your mountain alone.  Jesus walks with you to guide you and tell you which way to go (Isaiah 30:21).  He will never leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8).  You are so loved, dear friend.  The Bible is an unlimited treasure trove of promises and guidance for us as we are making this climb on the mountain of life – this path among the rocks.  I would encourage you to dig deep into it. 

Just like the help a climber has on Everest in the form of guide ropes and support, the Bible is our life line.  That’s also why I include scripture references for you in each post – so that you can look those up for yourself.  Test what I am saying here – don’t just take my word for it.  God’s word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12) and it cuts through the clutter to find our hearts and change us.  God will speak personally to each one of us in our reading of His Word.  It’s a comfort that I will spend the rest of my life trying to describe. 

For those of you that God has entrusted with the gift of encouragement (Romans 12:8), my prayer for you is that you would embrace that gift and help your fellow climbers.  That may mean that you must surrender your “Everest-level ambitions” to be available for God to use you as His “Sherpa” — to help those with weak knees and feeble hands, but I promise you, it will be worth it.  And when you do, God has a promise for you too.  Proverbs 11:25 promises us that “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

We are on this climb together, dear friends, but with God’s help, we can scale any wall (Psalm 18:29) and climb any mountain (Psalm 24:3-4).

Proactive Verse:  Acts 20:24 – I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me. 

Defensive:  Psalm 18:32-33 (NCV) – God is my protection.  He makes my way free from fault. He makes me like a deer that does not stumble; He helps me stand on the steep mountains.

Promise:  1 John 3:1 (NCV) – “The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God. And we really are His children….”