Today's Devotion Saturday, June 14, 2003 "Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains." (Psalm 147:8) Today's Thought He makes "grass to grow upon the mountains" . . . meditate on this a moment before going any farther. A story was related by a guest pastor at our church recently who was originally from South Carolina but who is now ministering in Southern Ohio. Although he used this illustration in a slightly different context, the scripture today brought "life" to it . . . Having been from South Carolina, his family often travels through the Blue Ridge Mountains to his home. His wife and daughter are usually in the car saying . . . "Ahhhhhhhh..... such beauty! Look at the flowers . . . look at the rustling river over the rocks . . . look at the sun peeping through the towering trees . . . " In fact, they are usually very audibly and descriptively enjoying the picturesque testimony of God's greatness visible in the earth. But, while in the driver's seat, all that can be seen is the mountain ahead as together they ascend on the long and winding road to the top of one mountain only to descend and ascend again until they reach their final destination. The difference between the passengers and the driver is the "focal point"! In our journey through life, what is OUR focal point? Is it on the scenery each step of the way, or is it on the arduous task of climbing the mountain that seems to never end? Your choice of focal points will frame your attitude, bringing you either sheer delight in seeing God in every step you take or dismay as you contemplate the hard climb ahead. Through every mountain there are joys. We just have to take our eyes off the mountainous road ahead of us and enjoy the scenery each step of the way provides. God is everywhere . . . He's with us, manifesting His blessings, sharing His beauty, and giving us joy along the way as we make our way up and down each mountain. And . . . He's in the valley between the mountains! It's all in our perspective! Psalm 148:7-9 says, "Praise the LORD from the earth . . . mountains, and all hills . . ." Let's join in praise to Him who not only created the mountains but who also is in our very midst as we climb, showing us His glory along the way! If we don't praise Him in the midst of our mountains, the mountains themselves will proclaim praise in our stead! Today's Prayer Father, it is in realizing that You have created the mountains that I can learn to praise you for them while going up and while going down. Help me to stop along the way, admiring the beauty of Your majesty as I behold Your presence with each step I take. Teach me to look for You every day in all places, both the easy and the hard, the steep and the level, the mountains and the valleys. Thank you, Lord, for the grass upon the mountains . . . the evidence of Your Hand along the way. I offer my praise to You, oh Lord . . . I love You . . . I praise You . . . I praise You for each mountain and each valley and the beauty of Your presence along the way! Amen! Have a blessed day! Jan Ross jan@... http://todaysdevotion.com "Sha'alu Shalom Yerushalayim" (Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem) Psalm 122:6