CHALLENGES

Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine” – 1 Samuel 17:32

CHALLENGES make CHAMPIONS! Without the taunting challenge of the giant Goliath, David’s manifestation to Israel might have been delayed (vv.17:45-51). His testimonies of faith were founded on overcoming the challenges of the bear and lion (vv.34-37). To get to the Promised Land, Israel had to navigate through the wilderness. A path with no obstacles is probably one that doesn’t lead to anywhere important. The routes to heights of Greatness are often rough and rocky roads. Handled wisely, adversity can give birth to opportunity. Indeed, adversity causes some men to break; others to break records. God can turn mountains into gold mines and stumbling blocks into stepping stones to success and enlargement in life.

God can use Mountains to motivate His children. His blessings do not always arrive on a platter of gold. Rather, they can come along with unique trials and tests – mountain-like challenges! Mountains are very dominant features in nature; and in the Scriptures they have both positive and negative connotations. Positively, mountains may symbolise: sacredness, safety, defence, exaltation, prominence, place of prayer, and places of vision, visitation and manifestation. Negatively, a mountain may signify: idolatry, arrogance or pride, lethargy or stagnancy, hindering barrier, intimidating problem, formidable opposition, and daunting challenge. Mountains are usually considered to be obstructions in the pathway of destiny.

The good news is that a mountain that serves as a hindrance or stumbling block to others can be your stepping stone to progress. Like Goliath before David, the mountain before you may be what you need to surmount in order to see more clearly God’s plan for your future, and be ushered into your prepared pinnacle in destiny. The Lord Jesus Christ did not shy away from mountains; He ascended, and surmounted them. On one such occasion when He encountered a high mountain, He took His close disciples – Peter, James, and John – up to the mountain peak, where He was transfigured before them, and they caught a glimpse of His glory (Mt.17:2). The mountain became a place of transformation and glorification.

Zerubbabel saw the great mountain before him as a Platform of Promotion: “Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” (Zech.4:7). Begin to see that problem you are facing as a solution, rather than an insurmountable problem. If you believe, the mountain could be the pedestal to your Distinction. When God wants to enlarge your vision and extend your coast, He may permit tough times to toughen you and develop your spiritual muscles. He may orchestrate challenges to compel you to move closer to Him; to seek His face and His grace. Doing the tough things today will prepare you for the great things tomorrow. Live your life so that you can say at the end: “I’ve had a life full of challenges; and I’ve finished well and strong. Praise God!”