The time on the mountain was such an exciting event. Elijah stood toe to toe against 850 false prophets. He was bold and powerfully anointed by God. He even taunted the false prophets when they could not get their gods to bring down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice. God received all the glory when fire came down from heaven in response to Elijah’s prayer.

When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God; the Lord, He is God.” (1Kings 18:39)

Elijah was so full of victory that he ran from Carmel to Jazreel. Hallelujah! Victory is sweet! However, when things returned to normal, Jezebel said that she was going to have Elijah killed. He ran for his life and actually wanted to die. The big events are exciting and energizing, but daily life can be such a drag.

Peter witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus, Elijah and Moses. (Matt. 17:1-8) It was so glorious that Peter wanted to build three tabernacles in honor of the three. Later, when they came down from the mountain, they encountered a young man with a demon. (Matt. 17:14-21)

The disciples had not been able to help him. Jesus had to take care of the matter for them. The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain was so glorious; real life with real people and real disciples when they came down from the mountain was a bit more difficult and not nearly as exciting.

Oswald Chambers reminded us, “After every time of exaltation, we are brought down with a sudden rush into things as the really are, where it is neither beautiful, poetic, nor thrilling. The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God.” (“My Utmost for His Highest”)
As Christians, we should not always be looking for some thrilling and exciting new thing. People quit jobs, churches, and relationships just because they become routine or hard. We should be led by the Spirit of God about what we do; bot quit something just because it bores us. Character, holiness, perseverance, and faithfulness can often be developed when we come down off the mountain to face the grind of the daily world below. Daily prayer, daily Bible study, and being a daily witness where we are is vitally important. (James 1:2-4)
Consistency, faithfulness and perseverance are important characteristics of a mature Christian. Let’s not just live for what is exciting on the mountain top, let’s also be faithful to live for the Lord Jesus, daily, even if that daily life finds us sometimes in the valley.

–Mike Barres, 12 St. Church of Christ, Shallowater, TX as published in Bulletin Digest, Sept. ‘05

Hebrews 4:12 says the Bible, “…is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart,” and like a sword it pierces to the very depths of the inward man. God intended His word to be, “…profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Just as Nathan confronted David with his sin and showed him the responsibility he must take for his actions (2 Sam. 11-12), so the word of God will show us where we are wrong and how to be right. James 1:22-25 describes the Bible as a mirror that accurately reflects the true character of the individual who stares into its pages. The one who applies the Bible to the various issues faced in life can truly say to God, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
But if we do not go to the Bible for counsel, and neglect to diligently study what it has to say and apply it to the various situations of life, we douse the light that God has given to help us see our way clear. In effect, we are adrift on life’s sea having thrown our compass overboard, choosing rather to grope along, trusting our own faulty powers of spiritual perception (Prov. 14:12; Jer. 10:23).
Many today, while they may give lip-service to the Bible, rely more heavily on what psychologists, professors, or scientists say about matters than the words of God. While there are godly men and women who serve faithfully in these fields, not every psychologist, professor, or scientist has a biblical worldview. Instead of confronting man with his sin, many educated individuals today, working on the basis that the theory of evolution is true, consider man to be a highly evolved animal, subject to his instincts and not responsible for his actions. In their minds heredity and environment are the culprits rather than man choosing to do evil. This, of course, is easier for the sinner to hear since the underlying message is that people are not responsible for their actions. Like Ahab, many seek the counsel of the majority that say everything is fine rather than the truthful minority that elucidate the real consequences of their actions (1 Kings 22). Like Ahab, many consider those who do care enough speak the truth troublemakers (1 Kings 18:17-18).
As Christians, we need to lovingly confront individuals with their responsibility before God, making them aware that everything is not fine if one lives in rebellion to His Word (2 Cor. 5:11). There are even many in the Lord’s church who through spiritual slothfulness need to wake up to the spiritual realities God’s word teaches. Read how Paul addressed this in Ephesians 5:11-17.
Can God get a word in edgewise in your life? Or are you too busy seeking counsel from men on what you should do in life? Do you take an objective look at yourself with the word of God, or do you seek people to tell you that you are fine? Your life will be blessed if you trust in the Lord’s word rather than relying on the advice of men (Jer. 17:5-8).

– Mark Day