“When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions.” (Matt. 5:1-2 Msg)
Isn’t that a beautiful paraphrase? Are you one of Rabboni’s committed, climbing companions, capturing the mountain heights of His teaching? Do you take time to meditate on His Living Word? Can you say as Job, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread”? (Job 23:12 NIV)
And that treasure includes more of His companionship. When you are faced with a heart-wrenching mountain-climb situation, the Lord is there for you, sometimes to teach you and other times to bless you, to comfort you, to guide, to uplift you, and to share His presence with you.
You never climb alone.
God is there…for you.
To bless you.
For “when you’re at the end of your rope,” God is there for you, blessing you with His fullness. “With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” (Matt. 5:3 Msg)
“When you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you,” God is there for you, blessing you with His comfort. “Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.” (Matt. 5:4 Msg)
When you are full of too many cares, God is there for you, blessing you by lifting your burdens and “You find yourselves cared for” and you “will be shown mercy.” (Matt. 5:7 Msg, NLT)
“When you can show people how to cooperate instead of” competing or fighting, God is there for you, blessing you with peace. “That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” You “will be called the children of God.” (Matt. 5:9 Msg, NLT)
“When your commitment to God provokes persecution,” God is there for you, blessing you with His kingdom. “The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.” (Matt. 5:10 Msg)
And when “people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit” the Lord, it means “that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.” God is there for you, blessing you. “You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.” (Matt. 5:11-12a Msg)
Jesus says…
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
“I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you.”
“I will never fail you or abandon you.”
“I will never abandon you.”
“I will never, never fail you.”
“I will never leave you or forsake you.”
“I will never leave you alone.”
“I will always be by your side.”
So we can say with confidence…
“God is there, ready to help.”
(Heb. 13:5 NKJV, Msg, CJB, ICB,
TLB, NRSV, WEB, Voice, Msg)
God is there for you.
You never climb alone.
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