Higher Ground (#242 of 365+)

“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ‘Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed” (Hebrews 12:12-13)


Joni’s vehicle nearly collided with another one when she was on the way to the airport. The sudden stop caused the restraint that secured her in the wheelchair to give way—and she fell to the floor. She seemed fine at first but many hours later they discovered that her leg was broken. It wasn’t until the early pre-dawn hours that she returned to the hotel room with a cast on her leg.

I can only imagine how her nerves must have been shaken by the experience. She prayed that night for the Holy Spirit to calm her, and then the words of the hymn Higher Ground entered her mind. The next day, when Joni arrived at the Bible college graduation ceremony where she had been invited to give a commencement address, their opening hymn was none other than… Higher Ground!

During moments of suffering when my faith is shaken, I become short-sighted and find it difficult to see beyond the limited scope of my own personal pain. But that’s when I need to stop everything and ask God to clear up all the emotions, doubts, and fears that are clouding my spiritual sight. The Lord will offer the calm assurance of his presence in the most wonderful—and unusual—ways. Sometimes he’ll let us know that he heard us (like when he caused some clover to grow by our front door after I said “I love clover”). Or he’ll take our minds off the problem for awhile (like when he entertained my husband with two birds in a hilarious balancing-and-shoving competition on our back fence).

“And Elisha prayed, ‘O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes” (2 Kings 6:17)

Lord, lift up my eyes to higher ground today. Amen.

Lyrics to Higher Ground:

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Chorus
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
(Chorus)

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
(Chorus)

I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
(Chorus)