If you have read much of my writing, you will have recognized that one of my favorite Bible verses is Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.". You may wonder what this has to do with the title of this post. I will get to that.
A lot of us quote that verse when we are facing a difficult situation, a challenge of some sort. However, do we really understand the impact of that statement? The Apostle Paul knew he was insufficient in his own strength to accomplish that to which he was called. Even Jesus knew he was unable to fulfill his purpose without the Father's enablement. If Jesus knew in the flesh that he needed the Spirit of God, how much more, in our humanity, should we recognize that fact. We need to speak those words understanding the facts behind them.
Now for the number "seven" as I will relate it to Philippians 4:13. Christ, as we know, was in the beginning. Father, Son and Holy Spirit consulted in creation. "Let us make man in OUR own image." Jesus told his disciples, "When you see me, you have seen the Father." They were and are one. So, together, in the strength of the Three in One, the earth and all we see was created. Seven days, with the seventh being the day of rest.
I have always thought of seven as God's favorite number. It is the number of perfection or completeness. Seven days for creation and it was called good. Seven colors in the rainbow to represent perfect hope. I could go on and speak of the seven churches; the seven spirits; the seven lampstands; the seven seals and so many more. However, I want to speak of seven mountains.
Psalm 125:2, "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore." There are seven mountains that surround Jerusalem. This is not an accident or coincidental. This is God's creation. Jerusalem is in the midst of these mountains. I won't go into detail concerning them all at this time, but it is a great study.
These seven mountains represent complete and perfect protection for the people of God. This protection surrounds us on every side. This protection enables us to do what we otherwise could not. Without these mountains of strength and protection we would be vulnerable to every attack of the enemy. We are spiritual people, existing in a spiritual kingdom, an eternal kingdom. To endure until the end in the Faith, we have to walk and live in the Spirit and understand the impact of truths such as the one we are addressing here, that we CAN do all things through our Mighty Creator!
Nothing can separate us from God's love. We believe that. The times we lose sight, things become a blur, are when the hardships and trials of this life hit us. Whether famine, sickness, loss of possessions, loss of loved ones and at this point in time, a seeming loss of all the foundational principles we stand upon in this life, we CAN take hold of and walk in the supernatural ability given to us by the perfect Creator and Savior. The Savior who endured the most horrendous suffering imaginable to bring us all to glory, Hebrews 2:10.
So, the next time you face what seems to be unattainable in your walk with the Lord and you whisper to yourself, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", imagine those seven mighty mountains surrounding Jerusalem that represent the perfect and complete covering of your Savior. He goes before you. He walks beside you. He is your rear guard. He is your Shield and your Buckler (a large shield that goes around the whole body, Psalm 35:2)
These are things of the Spirit and are spiritually discerned. The Kingdom of God is a Spiritual Kingdom. The Bible tells us to "be filled with the Spirit", to "be led by the Spirit". That our Bodies are "temples of the Holy Spirit" and to allow Him to fill these temples and re-create us in His Image as sin entered in to attempt to destroy his original plan. It failed because Christ destroyed it's power. However, we must walk in the Spirit to not fulfill the lust of the flesh or be constantly focused on the flesh.
One of those seven mountains is Mount Zion. Verse 1 of Psalm 125 tells us that "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion which cannot be moved, but abides forever." That speaks of endurance. Verse 3, "For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong." That speaks of promise!
So, speak with me, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" with new understanding and confidence in the one of whom you are speaking. Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God; God Himself and the Spirit of Both of them who longs to dwell within us in His Fullness. Be filled to overflowing today and always. When you are filled with the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, there is room only for His power and our weakness is exchanged for His Strength.
Dwell with me amidst those Mighty Mountains! Blessing to you All!
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