When you are above the tree line in the mountains, there is nothing to obscure your view of the terrain below.  There is nothing to prevent you from scanning the heavens above.  No trees – the terrain is barren, just rock or dirt. 

Peter, James and John certainly had a mountain top experience with our Lord:

“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.”

Mark 9:2-3 ESV

It was incredible – it was awesome – it was glorious, quite literally!  They wanted to stay; in fact, Peter even said they should build tents or tabernacles there!  Mark 9:5.   But, that was not what Jesus wanted.  Rather, He directed that they could not say anything!  No boasting or gloating that they had been chosen to see Jesus in His glory … nothing!

“And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.  So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean.”

Mark 9:9-10 ESV

Although they didn’t understand, they obeyed Jesus’ command and kept quiet about what they had seen, but the questions still lingered.

We want to be on the mountain top instead of in the valley – it is pretty, and it is easier than the messy life of the valley.  But there is no growth there. Growth takes place in the valley, where problems, hatred, disappointments, or other malevolent conditions of humanity reside.

But we, like Peter, James and John, must live in the valley.  We are told to obey His commands and that is the hard part – obeying what was commanded without obstinate questions such as “Why should I do this?”   “Who cares whether I do it or not?”  “Why can’t I do what I want to do?” 

David had a mountain top experience, literally, when he was saved from the hand of Saul.  He exalted the Lord and said:

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2 ESV

Jesus is my rock and my fortress; He is my deliverer, my rock, and my stronghold. More than that, He is the lover of my soul.  He gives me the mountain top experiences so that I am prepared to encounter the difficulties I will find in the valley below.

• I just need to obey. 
• I just need to trust His plan.
• I just need to rely on Him as He is just, merciful, and loving. I just need to remember that without Him, I can do nothing of spiritual significance.  He is the Vine and I am merely a branch in the valley. 

Beloved, look to Jesus for your salvation and security.  He is the Rock that will not be moved.  He is a sure stronghold for your life and eternal destiny.  He is the lover of your soul.  Call Him Savior and Lord each day of your life.

Father, I praise the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and claim Him as Lord of my life.  I repent of my sin and of my disobedience, and I pray in the knowledge that You will forgive and cleanse my sinful heart, through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord.