"Speaking of Mountains"

"Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke." (Psalms 144:5)

  Have you ever wanted God to just show up and show off His awesome power? Pastor Bryan touched upon something this last Sunday, as he was sharing about the chances for those that cannot bring themselves to give their lives to Christ, now without any threat or physical consequence, doing so during the tribulation, when they will be subject to death or even starvation; that God would give them a strong delusion, which, for lack of a better word, is total vanity! It is funny when you look up that word, delusion: one example given is that of scientist who initially thought that the Earth was the center of the solar system. In other words, the chances of anyone who will not surrender their life to Christ now, without the fear of persecution, because they refuse to give up their sins; they are going to even be more stubborn and hardhearted when to comes to giving up their lives; because, truth be told, it is all about them, as it always has been: Me, Myself, and I. This is quite an incredible picture that David is painting here, because it actually has happened in one way or another. I know David was wanting God to show up to make his enemies frightened or feel a little small; but in reality, God did come down and touch the mountains! And they surely did smoke! To see this point of view, which I hope you don't mind looking at, the word smoke is actually talking about anger, as in, fuming with anger. Jesus said something to the Jewish leaders, those that told Him to silence the people on Palm Sunday; He said, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." (Luke 19:40) There is really no difference in these two concepts; except one depicts wrath, while the other depicts praise. Interesting enough, the mountains were touched, the moment Jesus died on that cross; and they were angry! The earth shook and graves were opened; and those that stood by were temporarily under a strong delusion. What have we done? they thought; until the mountains quit being angry; then they went back to their same old hard heart. Isn't that the way it seems to work? Signs and wonders don't really change anyone's heart...

"Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. You know that afterward, when he wanted his father's blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears. You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai." (Hebrews 12:14-18) NLT