I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Psalms 121:1-2).
Once we decided to escape and had the determination to run away from the evil that had nearly destroyed our lives, it is crucial to have a clear destination in mind. The angel commanded Lot to Escape to the hills.
Why the Hills?
- Mountains offer a different perspective
If you ever been on a mountain or a hill, you will agree that it provides a different perspective because they are higher than sea level. Things that seem huge and overpowering at sea level appear smaller and more manageable when we climb the mountain. Being up there helps us see our weaknesses and sins more clearly. It also helps us realize that a big part of our struggle stems from how we perceive it.
Although the journey is challenging in itself, we must not add unnecessary weight by viewing it in a way that makes it unbearable. Instead, as we climb the mountain and rise above our weaknesses, we gradually gain confidence that we can handle our addiction and keep it under control.
- Mountains are characterized by their ability to stand firm.
They are not easily moved or affected by any danger approaching on the ground. They remain steady even in the face of struggle. Mountains also provide a vantage point to spot enemies from a distance. This allows us to be aware of approaching danger when we see them.
- The mountains remind us of Jerusalem
Jerusalem has been the city of God since David. It is situated on a mountain. And the temple within Jerusalem represents God’s presence.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. (Psalm 125:2).
As you flee, focus on the mountain where God lives, as reaching it will bring you into the presence of the Almighty, grant you peace during your trials, and allow you to experience His easy yoke.
Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives. Do I give to you? Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27).
Even if you look down the hill and get scared by the enemy’s approaching, with his soldiers chasing you in the form of memories, temptations, and ideas hindering your progress, you will hear a firm voice saying to you:
Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. (2 Kings 6:16-17).
Its Elisha voice who tried to lift his young servant up when he looked down and got scared of the enemy approaching
He prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.
So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
So, the closer you get to the mountain, God will open your eyes, just as he did in the old testament with the young man who was with Elisha. He will make you feel you are not alone and you will find powerful help fighting on your side, greater than those who tempt you.
Raised hands
So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. (Exodus 17:10-11).
You see, in this battle, Moses stands on a mountain, overseeing the fight. But he is doing something significant – his hands are held up, resembling a prayer to God. The verse continues to say that when he lowers his hand; they start to lose the war. In fact, it gets to where Aaron and Hur had to hold up Moses’ hands, one on each side. This way, his hands remain up and they won.
Same for us fighting our own Amalek. Without raising steady hands in front of god we can not prevail.
When we talk about escaping, it is important to have a plan. You can achieve this escape through various means, such as hobbies, friends, taking a walk, or diving into a good book. These methods help to ease the tension. However, simply relying on these alone is not enough if temptation still surrounds you and the war still going. Instead, you need to use these methods to create the space and time necessary to connect with your inner strength and to pray. Be like Moses holding steady hands in front of God. This is the only way to emerge victorious in this battle.
The mountains hold a special place in Jesus’s heart. It is a place where He can find solace and tranquility away from the noise of the world. We belong to a generation that is accustomed to i Pads, i Phones, the internet, games, movies, clubs, nightlife, and other technologies that keep us connected to others and give us a sense of existence.
It takes a powerful person to leave all that behind and spend some time in the mountains, away from the noise and distractions. In the mountains, you will confront something that you often try to ignore, despite claiming the opposite. You will come face to face with your true self. In the busy world, we rarely take the time to reflect on our actions and question if it’s truly what we want. Life in the mountains allows us to delve deep within ourselves with no distractions, giving us the opportunity to make necessary changes.
You see, Jesus followed a pattern during his time on earth.
And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. (Mark 6:46).
Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12)
Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him. (Luke 9:37.
Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. ( John 6:15).
Jesus often went to the mountain to pray or escape the noise of the crowds. We have made a lot of noise during our struggles and defeats with pornography. It has reached a point where Jesus is now stepping aside to the mountain, waiting for you. Would you go to him?
Golgotha mountain
Jesus was crucified on a mountain called Golgotha. He carried the cross up the mountain and was crucified at the top. He wants you to escape to that mountain where He is. Hold tight to the view from the top, where he is crucified. Know that at that moment, he showed weakness in front of the whole world. He was naked, covered in blood, and crucified. But that same moment is the strongest moment in history. Jesus overcame all darkness, defeated Satan and his enemies. When death the last enemy thought it had won, Jesus defeated death through his resurrection. He gave all humans new hope.
We have gone through our four-step escape strategy. Escaping our old habits felt like being crucified with him. However, by doing so, we set ourselves free from sin when our old self died on that cross.
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Romans 6:5-7).
We trust in His loving heart, knowing that all our transgressions are forgiven. We know He took the first step to forgive us for the things we have done and are about to do. This gives us courage and resilience, knowing that we are backed by so much love and forgiveness.
It makes us hold our heads high and say with Micah,
Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me. (Micah 7:8).
keep praying for 5 minutes (step1)
May add 5 more minutes (step 2)
Win this battle.
