Mountains in our lives come from past hurts or wrong teachings, from unforgiveness of others or of ourselves. These things can be blockages to our growing faith and need to be destroyed. Mountains can also be things we are familiar with, or we rely on, places we have often walked.
Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent to search out the promised land. Unfortunately only two of those spies, Joshua and Caleb came back rejoicing about the wonderful land God was about to give them. The others only saw the negative things, the strong people and the fortified cities.
This is one of the saddest verses and mountain experiences in the Bible. But there is so much to learn from this situation. Abraham was used to hearing from God, and had a reputation for obedience. But when he heard this, he must have asked himself if he was mistaken.
This exhortation from Elijah happened on Mount Carmel. It is a well known episode in the history of Israel. Ahab was a weak king allowing his strong willed wife, Jezebel, too much freedom to make decisions for him. She was a Baal worshipper and hated those who followed Lord Jehovah.
Moses was blessed by literally having conversations with God on the mountain which we have mentioned on the last 2 days. What hard work he did and what responsibility he carried! But his relationship with God was one which can be envied and has been experienced by very few human beings.
This reminds me of the painting by an English artist, Holman Hunt, of Jesus knocking at the door, inspired by Revelation 3:20. The door has no handle, because the owner must open it. Jesus will not force entry, neither will He force us to climb the mountain and go higher with Him.
If the people in the Exodus had gone near to the mountain, they would have died. We can imagine that most of them were too scared to go anywhere near the mountain, but there would be many different sentiments on this day. Some wanted to go near enough to see.
This psalm was written by Asaph, a Levite, and one of the leaders permanently in charge of the temple music. Twelve psalms are attributed to him or to his family members. His family are mentioned in Ezra as members of the tribes coming back from the exile to Babylon.
Sometimes we have to face the problems, ask God if He is trying to teach us something. And then as we learn the hard lessons we increase in authority and faith to address the mountains verbally. Sometimes we are surprised when God moves very quickly. Life is a learning process.
All of life is a test of our faith, whether we realise it or not. The choice to be scrupulously honest is always before us, and there are many moments when we must remember that the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
EN 
FR