facing the valleys with CHrist

So we saw yesterday how we can measure our mountaintop experiences. How we can honestly face teh highs and the lows knowing that Christ is right there with us. Yesterday, earlier in Mark Chapter 9 CHrist is up in the mountaintop with a few of the disciples and no doubt they were soaring in their minds and in their spirits to know that they were alone and one with Christ for that period of time. Now in verse 29 we read, "He said to them, 'THis kind of unclean spirit can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting'".
They thought because they had been on their mountain high that they were fully prepared to help someone with evil spirits within them. JEsus taught them a valuable lesson that just spending time alone with Him was not complete preparation for the things that life throws at us. To truly be used by Him we must spend the day with Him.
Think of Joshua as he lead the army in the Old Testament. He was a godly man placed in power by God, chosen by GOd to be the leader of His great army. Joshua had experienced amazing defeats and amazing mountaintop experiences as he conquered armies that were better trained than his own, larger than his own and better prepared than his own. Each time praying for God's guidance and then following God's specific instructions. Then, they came to Ai a small camp that should be no match for Joshua and his army, they attacked and were defeated. They were defeated because of 2 things.
FIrst, their pride got in teh way and they thought because they had conquered all the mighty armies in the past that this one was no match for them. But, more importantly they lost because they did not seek GOd's guidance in the matter. They just dove in thinking they could control their own situation when it was infact God who had secured every victory for them in the past.
SO think about these 2 stories in perspective, think about how you deal with your every day life. Are you spending time alone with God? If so are you experiencing the highs and lows that come from a personal relationship with Him? Most importantly, are you taking Him along in each and every endeavor praying for His guidance and companionship in the mountaintops and the valleys as well? If not, pray that He would help you do so in the future so that you can accomplish all that He has placed you here to accomplish.
Have a great day and weekend!