higher ground

 While flipping through an old hymnal, I came across the old song, Higher Ground by John Oatman Jr. It has a chorus that says, 

Lord Lift me up and let me stand, by faith on heaven's tableland. 

A higher plane than I have found. Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. 

Each verse speaks of wanting to move forward and higher spiritually. It is a prayer for God to help us press onward, and not be bound by the doubts and fears in this world. I love the words and meaning of this hymn. 

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13‭-‬14 KJV

Paul wrote to the congregation in Phillipi about reaching forward and pressing forward. He said to forget the things behind and reach for the things that are before us. Paul understood struggle, attacks from the enemy, and from people. Yet, he still pushed upward. God has much in store for us when we press into him and push forward. This life tends to bring struggle and difficulty,  but God has the answer for it all. We can press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  We do not need to be bound by fear and doubt or bogged down living in struggle spiritually. We can rejoice in faith of God nd his blessing. There is  joy in the presence of the Lord. 

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord ; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Isaiah 58:14 KJV

We will find blessing and rest in the joy of the Lord as we push onward into the spiritual things he has for his people.  We can stand planted and firm in the promises of His Word, in his blessing and in faith.  What a joyous thought to know he will help me stand firm. He will bring us through all trials and strengthen us in faith and resolve, we only need to ask him. 

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalms 1:3 KJV

We will be planted in faith, growing in faith, and we will prosper in faith.  God wants us to be rooted and grounded, not blown about, torn apart and barely surviving  in our walk with him. He wants for us to be prosperous spiritually, full of faith, able to withstand every fiery dart the enemy sends our way. We do not need to fear what those darts can do when our faith is firm in Jesus. 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1 KJV

Don't look back at what was before, don't look around at the boisterous waves in this life. Stand firm, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. There is no thing in this world that can stand against him or us when we are standing in him.  We have higher ground and God who answers every prayer.  He will plant us on the higher ground so no flood in this broken world can overwhelm or destroy us.  Ask him to plant your feet on higher ground. Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.