Pastor's Pen
September / October 2001

 Highland Pastures

On a recent trip to Bolivia, I was taken up to the mountains by one of the local pastors. While I was there, I casually asked the pastor, "do you have good lamb here?" [There are a lot of sheep in Bolivia.] He said: "Oh, if you want good lamb, there is a very high plateau between two mountain ranges; the grass and herbs there are rich in nutrients and minerals, and the lamb there is the better than any you’ve ever tasted."

That little statement suddenly sparked something within my spirit and I began to recall certain promises in the book of Isaiah: "…They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them." (Isa 49:9-10)

There is something very special about the highland pasture in the sacred book. It represents a dimension in God where we would ever hope to remain. The pasture is rich. While it is hot and dry in the valley and pollution clouds the view, the dew blankets the rich pastures above. Dew, speaks of the still small voice. [Deut. 32:1-2] The high pasture is the place of true blessing and life abundant. [Psalm 133:3] It represents the heavenly position in Christ where the obstacles are only stepping-stones. (Isa 49:11)

I think of Christian, [Pilgrims Progress] who at one segment of his journey comes into the Delectable Mountains and he catches a glimpse of that city to which he longs to go. The highland pasture represents a place of clear vision.

But as we also learn from the pilgrim’s journey, we can not always remain here.. we are renewed here, we exchange our strength here. But the multitudes still wait in the valley of decision for those who can show them the way!

David said: "He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places." [Psa. 18:33] A hind is a sure-footed mountain deer that can ascend the narrow path. The Lord is very interested in our walk. He wants us to learn to walk as He did. "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely" (Prov 10:9)

The prophet Isaiah said: "If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (Isa 58:13-14)

In essence, when our desire gives place to His desire, then we shall experience riding upon the high places of the earth and being fed in the high mountain pastures. It is the steadfast walk and the life of devotion that will ultimately bring us higher up the mountain.

There was a prophecy given in our church a few weeks ago that said: "I desire to bring you to a higher plateau, but the way to that higher plateau shall bring you upon a narrow path, through the straits, where you must confront the issues in your life. If you decide to face those issues, I will help you and thou shalt overcome… But, if you ignore these things [that have long been there] then you will ever remain on your present ground!

Oh, let us take heed to the gracious invitation and find the grace that will enable us to come up to the highland pastures..