AS we consider the metaphors of mountains and valleys, we frequently wish to have mountain top experiences and avoid valley encounters. What we fail to understand is that all mountain top experiences are preceded by valley encounters. Besides, the most thrilling aspect of surmounting the summit is the appreciation for the valley below. In addition to that, once you arrive at the summit, if you are to continue life’s journey there is nowhere else to go but down, down in the valley again. 

Peter, James, and John learnt that on the mount of transfiguration. The exhilarating experience they had up there: seeing the transfiguration of Jesus, fellowshipping with Moses and Elijah, hearing the voice of God – they wanted to stay on the mountain, but Jesus said, we have to go down again!

It is a great truth that God works on mountains. Elijah evoked that great miracle on Mount Carmel. Moses talked with God on Mount Sanai. Jesus redeemed us on mount Calvary. And the most significant sacrifice that foreshadowed the death of Jesus occurred on Mount Moriah, where Isaac, Abraham’s son’s life was spared, and a ram became the substitute which projected Jesus. So, divinely ordained feats have always transpired on mountain tops.

It’s true, God drives the mountain story.

Surprisingly, a scarcely known mountain experience is found in 1st Kings 20. It starts with King Ben-Hadad of Aram threatening to go up to the hills of Samaria, the capital city of Israel, to fight King Ahab and a depleted Israeli army. The first verse of 1st Kings 20 says, Ben-Hadad mustered his entire army; and that was not enough. So, he brought the armies of 32 other kings with him. But God showed up on that mountain because that is what he does.