TEXT:

‘That same day the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Moab, to the mountains east of the river, and climb Mount Nebo, which is across from Jericho. Look out across the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the people of Israel as their own special possession”’ – Deuteronomy 32:48-49 NLT

‘Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day’ – Joshua 14:12

THOUGHT:

Be careful you do not lose your temper. It can cost you dearly as Moses found out. His ill-advised comments and anger caused him to strike the rock instead of speaking to it to release the water, as God had told him to do. It cost him his place in the Promised Land! God did take him up into a mountain to see all of that land from a distance but that’s as close as he got.

It’s a good job it was not a mountain in Wales, for perhaps he would not have seen very much. Two weeks ago we planned to climb Snowdon and travelled to Wales via Cambridgeshire where we had attended a family get-together. Travelling around the beautiful countryside of Snowdonia was very rewarding, but then the weather changed for the days of climbing. Misty rain with little prospect of sunshine meant we changed mountains. Instead of Snowdon, we climbed Cader Idris, which was much nearer to where we were staying.

We started off our steep ascent in the dry, with occasional breaks in the cloud, allowing sunshine to warm our backs, but before we had got even half-way, we entered a mist and visibility dropped dramatically. It quickly became evident why mountains are so dangerous as it would be very easy to fall over the edge in the mist and rain. Fortunately the rugged pathway was quite clear and mounds of stones helped ensure we did not stray from the right path. Every now and then, people would suddenly appear out of the mist on their way down. After three miles we were nearly at the top, only a final steep climb over loose rocks. Do we stop or keep going? We pushed on and had the joy of standing on the very top. We could not see a thing but were thrilled to have succeeded. A few minutes later we sat inside the stone shelter eating our sandwiches, a welcome relief from the cold, wet and windy weather.

Our descent was much quicker and suddenly we were out into the sunshine again. If only it had been like that at the top. Turning round to look back up the mountain, the black clouds looked really foreboding. As we neared the bottom, more climbers were walking up. One looked weary so I encouraged him to keep going. I was so surprised when he replied they had just climbed Snowdon, and after Cader Idris, they would climb Pen y Fan in South Wales. Three mountains in one day, much too hard for me to do! I wanted to be back in our apartment and have a hot shower.

Is that the end of my mountaineering? Not if Jenny has her way, for we have not climbed Snowdon yet!

In the Bible a mountain often represented a trial or tragedy, or some other impossible situation. God’s Word can give tremendous hope to anyone finding themself facing similar things, that with the Holy Spirit’s help their mountain can become a plain. But who in their right mind would ask for a mountain? Our text reveals that Caleb did! He was one of the twelve spies sent to view the Promised Land and along with Joshua came back with a glowing report. Full of faith he urged the Children of Israel to enter as soon as possible. Unfortunately the other ten spies’ fear swayed the congregation to do the opposite and as a result of their rebellion, they spent the next forty years wandering in the wilderness, before Joshua eventually led them in.

After all the conquest battles it was time for the land to be divided up according to the size of each tribe. This was when Caleb spoke up. He declared that Moses had promised him the mountain on which he had stood to view the Promised Land, and he received it as his inheritance. Forty-five years of waiting was now over and no enemy would stop him from claiming what God had promised. So a sprightly eighty-five year old man started climbing again to make the mountain his. I found it tough enough climbing at sixty-five, so how much more difficult would it have been for Caleb, but faith and God’s favour supplies strength to make the dream a reality.

I started this teaching by warning about losing one’s temper and the consequences that can follow. To help us keep it in check, slowly read the following verses taken from the hymn “Take time to be holy”.Take time to be holy, the world rushes on

By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be

Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone

Thy friends in thy conduct, His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul

Each thought and each temper, beneath His control

Thus led by His Spirit, to fountains of love

Thou soon shall be fitted, for service above.