A Place of Grace
Thought of the Week
by Susan
October 22, 2018
(Note: A Place of Grace is published on a weekly basis)
I Will Be With You!
A very ambitious and self-centered man decided
he would climb to the top of a high mountain by himself. It was on his “bucket
list”, his “to do list”. He had read up on how to make a successful climb but
had never actually been on an adventure like this, in fact short of climbing a
rock wall, he’d never even been up in the mountains.
He was warned by his friends to take someone with him but he was determined to
do this alone. He wanted the glory for having attained one of his goals in life
and he wasn’t going to let anyone help him.
He picked a pretty high mountain and started his trek up the mountain with all
his picks and ropes in a belt around his waist. He actually started out pretty
good then as the air started to thin, he started going a little slower. Darkness
started to set in and the cloud cover hid the moon and the stars, but he was
determined to finish what he had started, he didn’t think he had a whole lot
further to go. Up and up he went when all of a sudden his foot slipped as he was
about to place his next grounding pin. He started falling faster and faster; it
seemed his life flashed before his eyes in the total darkness of the night. All
of a sudden he started to remember from a long time ago verses he had learned
about trusting in the Lord will all your heart. God is your strength. God has
not given us a spirit of fear. He cried out to God in the darkness; “Lord,
please help me!!” All at once he hit the end of his rope and there he was
dangling between heaven and earth crying out to God saying; “God, please save
me!” He heard God saying; “Do you really believe I can save you?” “Of course, my
Lord!” God said; “Do you really trust me?” He thought for a second, “Yes, I do
trust you.” “Okay then, cut your rope.” A long, heavy silence ensued, “No, no, I
can’t do that!” He tightened his grip on the rope that was around his waist.
The mountain rescue team found the man frozen to death, his hands holding firmly
onto the rope that was tied around his waist. He was hanging only two feet from
the ground.
What ropes are you holding onto? Are you afraid of taking that first step
because you can’t see the path or the step in front of you? Is God calling you
to do something but you are too frightened? Has Satan got you tied and tangled
all up in the ropes of despair and fear and depression that you see nothing but
the darkness? You know the lessons that you learned in the light will encourage
and give you strength in the darkness. You will know that you can trust God in
all things. You will know that you can do all things with Christ guiding and
directing you even if you don’t see what the outcome is. You will know that God
said He would never leave you or forsake you; He will go through anything and
everything with you.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the
rivers; they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall
not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2
For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, “Fear not, I
will help you. Isaiah 41:13
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor
be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
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