J. Sidlow Baxter - Awake My Heart: Daily Devotional Meditations for the Year

On the first day of the month were the tops of the mountains seen.Gen. 8: 5.

T HIS verse has a unique applicability to the first day of a new year. The tenth month here corresponds with our January; so the first day is our January first. What an exhilarating discovery were those uncovered mountain-tops that first day! The flood was declining. God had not forgotten to be gracious. Those mountain-tops speak to us on the first day of this year. What will the new year bring, of joy or sorrow, achievement or frustration, health or sickness, good or ill? We cannot foresee what darksome vales or verdant plains or surprise vistas the unfolding months may unveil. Yet if we are truly Christs, we are not in total obscurity. Up from the unknown, misty morrows, certain grand securities stand out in advance view.

There are those reassuring mountain-tops, the divine promises; exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1: 4), pledging to us the divine presence, protection, provision, throughout the coming days. Oh, those sunbathed peaks, the promises!

There are the mountain-tops of spiritual possibilities. To all who have received Him our Lord gives power to become (Jn. 1: 12). Thou art... thou shalt be (Jn. 1: 42). Let us wrest our minds away from pathetic enchantment with it might have been, and say afresh, I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me (Phil. 4: 13).

There are the mountain-tops of our Christian privilegesof fellowship with the Father and with His Son (1 Jn. 1: 3); of heavenly joy and peace and guidance imparted by the Holy Spirit; and many more.

There are the mountain tops of challenging opportunities. How they shine already in the new-years sun! Forget the failures of the past, except to learn from them to trust Christ more and self less; and prayerfully resolve on godly conquest in this new year.

And there is that glory-capped peak, the hope of our Lords return. The darker the times, the more resplendently it shines, gilding all the unknown tomorrows with its lovely guarantee of ultimate blessedness.

But note: (1) The mountain-tops were seen from the ark, which typified our Saviour. No such radiant peaks greet those who are out of Him. (2) They were seen from Ararat, which means holy ground. Without true consecration there can be but hazy vision of the higher truths. (3) They were seen from another mountain top. We ourselves must be on a high altitude. Some of the Lords people live, as it were, in the basement of the ark, in the twilight of a faith which is never quite sure. They lie against the ribs of the ship, hearing the thud of the waters, and nervously asking whether the ark can survive the strain, and whether or not salvation will last. This is a joy-killing suspense. Fellow-believer, as the new year comes in, climb the ark! Gaze out from the higher places, with assurance of faith. Lo, the tops of the mountains!

Like sunlit peaks His mercies rise
Before my grateful, wondering eyes;
Then let me trust Him, and confess
His endless, glorious faithfulness.