The Climb to the Summit

One Year Bible
New Testament Passage (for Tues., Nov. 6, 2012):  Hebrews 7:18-28

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.  Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV)

Max Lucado tells the story of a young man named Matt who set out with a large group of other youths to climb 14,000 foot Mt. Chrysolite in Colorado.  It was a grueling trek that only got steeper and steeper.  Matt couldn't make it.  He lagged behind the rest of the group.  Despite coaxing and begging by the leaders, Matt said he couldn't go on any further.  They were only a few hundred feet from the summit, but Matt was done.

Then, three fellow trekkers came up beside Matt. Two took his arms and another pushed from the rear.  They virually dragged him, but Matt passed the timberline and came to the top.  There they heard the applause. Their group, a couple of hundred youth stood there giving a standing ovation.

Our journey is similar.  We are called to the top of the mountain.  But the climb can be hard and our endurance is tested.  We may be tempted to give up.  BUT WE HAVE A FRIEND -- A SAVIOUR.

Our Friend comes alongside us to boost us on our climb.  He is able to save us completely -- to the uttermost -- to the summit.  He is able to carry us all the way to the top.  Why?  Because He ever lives to stand in our place -- to intercede for us -- to pull for us -- to believe that we can do that which we ourselves have perhaps given up on. 

When our strength runs out, His strength never fails.  He is our Leader, our Helper, our Hope.  He will come along beside us and push us from the rear.  He will bring us to the summit.

There we will find those who have climbed before us.  Hebrews 12 says that a host is watching, cheering us on.  This is not the casual appreciation of those who are entertained.  It is the applause of those who know the severity of the climb.  It is the applause of the fellow-traveler.  This is the picture of our walk with God.  We are tested to our limit.  But God is our help.  And, we can today help each other further up the trail.