Shepastor: “Bringing Down the High Places…”

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16, NIV



The hymn writer, the late Charles P. Jones, inspired by the above stated verse declared,

I will make the darkness light before thee,
What is wrong I’ll make it right before thee,
All thy battles I will fight before thee,
And the high place I’ll bring down.

Refrain
When thou walkest by the way I’ll lead thee,
On the fatness of the land I’ll feed thee,
And a mansion in the sky I’ll deed thee,
And the high place I’ll bring down.

With an everlasting love I’ll love thee,
Though with trials deep and sore I’ll prove thee,
But there’s nothing that can hurt or move thee,
And the high place I’ll bring down.

Refrain
Although Satan in his rage would tear thee,
And with all his winning arts would snare thee,
Even down to thine old age I’ll bear thee,
And the high place I’ll bring down.

The “high places” in Scripture frequently refers to places where idols were worshiped. Many sinful and perverted activities occurred at the high places. People were deceived and led astray at the high places. Children were sacrificed at the high places. People were burned at the high places. Several Old Testament kings were condemned by God’s prophets for not tearing down the high places.

High places still exist today. Many have replaced/removed the Lord from the altar of their hearts and instead worship idols…maybe not bronze or golden images, but the idols of greed, prosperity, religion, self-centeredness and political correctness. Children may not be literally sacrificed on mountain tops any longer, but many children are being abused, neglected, born into cycles of dysfunction and poverty, because of adults who worship at proverbial high places.

Individuals may no longer be burned alive as sacrifices, but many are being “burned out,” being over worked and under paid, burned by those who take advantage of them, burned, even in the church because of mean spirits, unholy actions, gossip, slander and insensitivity. Many are broken and discouraged, longing for a light to shine in the darkness. Those who have refused to worship at the modern day high places are often ridiculed, criticized, ostracized and in some instances mistreated for their stance. But the Lord has promised to bring the high places down. The Lord has promised to open blind eyes, shine light in darkness and make rough places smooth. God calls us, by faith to participate in that process.

Every time we choose love over hate, we bring down a high place. Every time we “do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God,” we tear down a high place. Every time, by faith, we choose to persevere, continuing to build, continuing to lift, continuing to serve, we tear down a high place. By the power of the Resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ, God uses us to bring high places down. May we, by faith, have the courage to obey the Holy Spirit and partner with God’s mission to tear down high places.

You can hear a rendition of the beautiful hymn by clicking on the link below…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4syBi1OpVkA

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until Next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris