Scripture: 1 Samuel 21
Reading: Abandonment to Divine Providence Book I Chapter II Section IX
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In the valley of fear and despair are the feet of the mountains that must be climbed to achieve the sumitt of the deeper life. It is in the valley and foot hills where one must learn the skill to scale the treacherous cliffs of life with death ever so present a companion to reach that great reward. It is no easy climb and as serene as the view is from the valley it is full of pain and suffering upon its face. Doesn’t seem to be a happy picture, but to the climber it is a labourous joy to make the climb for he knows the end to which he so begins the ascent. What happens in between the beginning and the end is simply the process to get there.
God in His infinite will and wisdom has implanted with the submitted heart the destination, the hunger and thirst for Him who is our righteousness. The submitted heart must first be discipled in the elementary things, then experience leads the heart into a deeper understanding and practice. Once the Divine Instructor deems us ready to climb we set off according to His good grace.
Each moment and each step of the climb is sufficient for itself. I fear when I look up or look down, I must focus on where my hand must be placed next and move every so carefully if I hope to reach my destination. The will of God is right in front of us in the moment and moment by moment through life the ultimate plan and purposes of God are accomplished many times without us ever seeing the whole plan for our lives. Assuredly though upon reaching that glorious sumitt we gaze upon the work that God has done and we can worship for we were none the wiser. What was accomplished was the accumulation of our moment by moment obedience to the Divine Will. No moment, no measure, no pain is found to have been found insignificant for in looking across Heaven we will see the worth and divine action of the very things we plead with God to take from us in this life we find displeasing or tormenting.
“Yes, Lord, may your kingdom come in my heart to sanctify it, to nourish it, to purify it, and to render it victorious over all its enemies. Moment most precious! How insignificant in the eyes of the vulgar, but how great in those enlightened by faith. If it is great also in the eyes of my Father who is in Heaven, how can I regard it as insignificant?”
