DAY 9

SPIRITUAL TERRAINS

LAUREN GRACA, KIDS PASTOR, THE WOODS CHURCH

Terrain (noun): A geographic area; a piece of land; the physical features of a tract of land. Merriam-Webster Dictionary

The word “terrain” is an interesting word. It refers to any “piece of land,” but when using it in a sentence, it depends on more description. For example, “I expect the terrain will be rough and rugged on our hike today,” or “The terrain was so flat and smooth.” Both of these examples fit the definition, yet the illustrations are opposite.

The Bible is full of opposite types of terrains, and right now, you are likely standing in one of them. You may have been visiting there for a while, or you might be finding yourself in a new or different terrain for the first time. There are blessings and lessons in every type of spiritual terrain, but the one factor that is constant in them all—the Presence of God is there.

THE MOUNTAIN TOP

I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1–2

There is something majestic about a mountain; it is overwhelmingly grand. If you have ever had the opportunity to stand on a mountaintop, you know you can see forever! When we read about mountains in the Bible, we may think of stories like Moses meeting with God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19). Or during the transfiguration of Jesus, when He took Peter, James, and John up to a mountain and revealed His glory (Matthew 17). Mountains are where leaders meet with God, where miracles happen, and where we are privileged to see the vast stretch of God’s reach. Are you having a mountaintop moment, where everywhere you look you are in tremendous awe of God’s magnificence?

Living on a mountain can literally take our breath away. You don’t have to climb Pikes Peak, Mount Rainer, or Mount Kilimanjaro to know that the air is very thin at the top of a mountain. Not many living things actually live on the mountain tops; the oxygen levels are too low. The only way to remain there for long periods of time is to have a source of oxygen close by. 

If you long to live on a mountaintop, or you find yourself there at this very moment, let me give you one crucial piece of advice: It is absolutely essential that you are connected to God. You cannot last on the mountain without Him. The moment you remove the oxygen (your dependence on the Lord), the vastness of the mountain will cripple you and lead you into a panicked state. Don’t think that living on the mountain means you don’t need God; you desperately need Him with every breath you take. He alone is able to sustain you.

THE VALLEY

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

The definition of a valley is literally a “depressed state.” And as David writes in the twenty-third Psalm, typically one has to walk through the valley, not climb out of it. This familiar Psalm is not the only time a “valley” is mentioned in the Bible. In Ezekiel chapter 37, the Lord takes the prophet Ezekiel to the middle of a valley full of dry bones, completely void of any life. And recall the story of David and Goliath, where the Israelites assembled in the valley of Elah, to battle in a war against the Philistines. A valley is not the ideal place to be during a battle, for you can find yourself stuck, targeted from all sides.

n a valley, you are surrounded by shadows, grief, confusion, darkness, death, and despair. It is here where you find yourself in a depressed state of mind. All the obstacles you face feel bigger than you. Hopelessness covers you.

If you find yourself in the valley at this moment, I want to encourage your heart with this truth: There is still life in the valley. It may seem like hopeless terrain, but it's not. David reminds us in the second part of the verse above, “...you are with me.” You are never alone in the valley. When the Lord took Ezekiel to the dry bones, He was there. He spoke to the dead, dry bones, and brought them back to life. No one is too far gone that the living breath of God can’t reach them. A valley also has water running through it; it carries the water that runs down from the hills and mountains around it. Water gives life. In fact, water creates the valley. God’s breath and living water sustain us. And finally, remember the ending of the story of David and Goliath. With the Lord’s help, David conquers the enemy in the valley. You have the power from the Holy Spirit to defeat the enemy - even in the middle of a valley.

THE WILDERNESS

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1

There are many stories from the Bible where we find people in the wilderness. Moses and the Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness (Numbers 32:13). The prophet Elijah fled to the wilderness, fearing for his life after King Ahab and Jezebel threatened to kill him (1 Kings 19). In the New Testament, Paul spent three years in the wilderness, in solitude (Galatians 1:17–18). And don’t forget, Jesus Himself was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights, immediately after He was baptized (Matthew 4).

I have wondered several times, why does God place us in the wilderness? Why would He rescue the Israelites from slavery, only to have them wander for 40 years in the wilderness? Why did He send His only Son into the wilderness, without food or water, where He was tempted by Satan himself? I’ll never know all the answers, but I do know there is a reason for everything God does. Perhaps there are lessons we can only learn in the wilderness terrain?

Lessons of humility, endurance, dependence, and preparation for what is to come.

In the midst of the testing and times of hardship the Israelites experienced, God provided everything they needed. In Deuteronomy 8:2–5, Moses reminded the people:

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.

If you find yourself wandering through the wilderness terrain, accept it, and allow God to refine you. Surrender to his purposes and plans for your life. Hunger and thirst for His Word more than anything (or anyone) else. Don’t just read Scripture, digest it; let it shape you into more like Christ.

THE PROMISED LAND

So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed, every one was fulfilled. Joshua 21:43–45

Perhaps you find yourself embarking on new terrain, just like the Israelites when they were finally allowed to enter the Promised Land. But being invited into the Promised Land is not the same thing as God saying, “Welcome! You are now entering a Promised Easy Life!” A land flowing with milk and honey sure sounds easy to me, but for the Israelites, it involved a battle to get there, a battle they were scared to face. The Promised Land terrain was occupied by someone else, and the Spirit was calling upon Israel to reclaim that territory for His Kingdom.

The battle is not only physical, but mental as well. The Promised Land includes change, getting uncomfortable, unfamiliar views, unanswered questions, and unrealistic expectations. No wonder the Israelites wanted to turn back and live in the wilderness. Sure, they were in the desert, but at least it was strangely comfortable. Sometimes the wilderness will look more appealing than the Promised Land. You will overcome these thoughts by going to battle with your mind. You win the battle by allowing God to place a spiritual lens over your physical eyes.

If you are feeling called to The Promised Land… Go! Don’t hesitate! God just taught you how to rely on Him in the wilderness; He just demonstrated how He would always be with you and provide what you need… Now let Him prove it! Yes, you may have to battle the enemy, but stand firm (Ephesians 6), live with faith, trust God’s plan, take the next obedient step (Proverbs 3:5–6), and know that God always keeps His promises.

THE GARDEN

There is one more terrain I want to mention, and that’s The Garden. Perhaps you find yourself walking with God in this season, surrounded by miracles, beauty, and favor. You walk with God in the cool of the day. Even work is easy! Your burden is light; all you have to carry is the joy in your heart. When you look over your shoulder, you see the goodness and mercy of the Lord following you. The Garden is my goal.

PRAYER: Wherever you find your feet today, this prayer prompt is for you. The truth is, because of Jesus, we are all able to have a gardenmindset. Regardless of where our feet are, we can experience blessing, joy, and most of all, the Presence of the Lord.

While he was in prison, Paul wrote to the church about having joy and being content in every situation. Even in the middle of rough or unfamiliar terrain, we can still walk with Jesus as if we are walking with Him in The Garden. Read these words from Paul and allow them to speak life into you:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:4–7, 11–13