The Mountains Are Out

Devotional for January 8

“As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.” – Psalm 125:2

One of my favorite things about our home in the central valley of California is that on clear days, I can see the Sierra Mountains from our yard. Yesterday, my children came in the house and said, “Mom, the mountains are out today!” They knew that I would rush out and gaze at the beautiful, snow-capped peaks. The whole valley looks lovely when the mountains are in view.

This morning, however, the fog has rolled in. You cannot see very far down the street, much less to the mountains. Sometimes the fog lasts for such a long time that we almost forget the mountains are even there! They seem to have disappeared.

At times, this can be how we feel about God, too. When we sense God’s presence distinctly in our lives—when He is “in view”—everything is lovely. We have not a worry or a care because we know God is nearby to undertake when we need Him. But sometimes a trial or challenge to our faith comes along—like a thick fog rolling in—and we cannot see God or feel Him close by anymore. However, God has not moved. As certainly as the Sierras are still there in the fog (in fact, even more certainly), God is still there when we go through dark, obscure periods in our lives. He is as close in the dark times as He is in the sunny times.

As sure as the Sierras have stood for ages, it gives such comfort to know that God is even surer than they! “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:1-2). Although the fog is sure to come, it is just as sure to lift. The sun always shines through again. Let’s put our trust in Him and rest in His promises, even when we cannot see Him.