Mountaineering with God

Psalm 18 is one of Psalmist David's most compelling tributes to God. It encapsulates the intense intimacy of their relationship. From the lengthy lonely stretches of keeping his father's sheep, to being singled out as the anointed future King of Israel, to the fierce raging fights on inimical battlefields, to being hunted down and forsaken, afraid and lost, David experienced and endured it all. His journey with the Lord is likened to that of an arduous mountain climbing expedition, grueling yet so satisfying to finally reach the summit. How gratifying to drive a stake into the ground to mark victory. The sense of accomplishment in amongst a myriad of feelings and emotions all culminate into inexpressible moments of joy, relief, accomplishment and triumph. Nothing tests our reserves more than hostile, unfamiliar terrain, when unexpected challenges rear themselves in unrelenting frequency, yet the goal of the finish line is ever before us, because God and His promises enable us to endure, persevere and trust in the one who enables us and makes us sure footed.

"As for God, His way is perfect: the word of God is tried: He is a buckler to all those who trust in Him. For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God? It is God who girds me with strength and makes my way perfect" (Psalm 18:31-32). Through all of David's struggles and battles, He ascribes Gods way as perfect and tried, as the rock of His salvation, the lifter of His head, the one who girds and strengthens him. David is fully confident in the knowledge that it is God who makes his way perfect, he credits it all to God.

"He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He causes me to stand on the heights." Psalm 18:33. The hind is a female red deer that lives in the mountains. As part of its design to scale and manoeuvre its way up these mountains, the rear feet of the hind step in precisely the same spot where the front feet have just trod. Every step is purposefully executed with intense focus. Concentration and precision, makes it the most sure-footed of all mountain animals. Its young follow the exact safe steps of its mother. This is crucial for their survival. The hind is so unassuming in its outlook yet it possesses such stealth and mastery in scaling precarious dangerous mountain ranges. Under natural circumstances David weighs the unlikelihood of his victories and knows beyond all doubt that had it not been for Gods intervention, for God's Grace, His Favour and His Presence, none of it would have been possible. David realizes that he is nothing without God, and when He looks back on his journey he formulates these images and comparisons because he knows that none of his accomplishments were engineered without the enabling, equipping and efficacy of God's unstinting faithfulness.

Like David we too have a timeline to reflect on. When I consider the setbacks and impediments of my own life, I marvel at what God has done for me and through me. With odds stacked so heavily against me, God in His mercy, grace and favour chose to direct my path, He rescued me from the snares of the enemy, orchestrated and ordained every step of my journey and gave me a firm place to stand and established me in all my ways. For surely, "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from powerful enemies, from foes who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me!" (Psalm 18:16-19)

I believe He has done the same for you. Our journey continues but with the confidence that He is our shield and our strength, our very present help in time of need. I stake a pole on the summit of my mountain marking yet another victory and say thank you Lord my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.