Fast Day 3
Mountain of Influence: Religion
Day 3 – Proclaim
Isaiah 52:7
'How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
I remember climbing the Manitou Incline on the eastern flanks of Pikes Peak, Colorado. Starting at 6,530 feet it’s a tricky, daunting ascent. 2,744 steps rise 2,020 feet in just under one mile. That’s steep. In fact, the average grade is 41 percent, but in some places its 68 percent requiring hikers to toil upwards on all four limbs while the summit is hidden from view. The worst part isn’t physical, it’s psychological.
Two-thirds of the way up I thought I had reached the end. I had labored forever. My lungs screamed for oxygen, my muscles said, “No more!” Wearily, I heaved myself over the highest point, across the summit, only to meet defeat. Before me another 300 steps upward awaited. Despite my work, I had not arrived. A false summit had deceived me.
Now consider this: Many false summits arise on the mountain of religion. Besides 2.3 billion Christians world-wide, the Pew Research Center reports there are also 1.8 billion Muslims, 1.2 billion unaffiliated, 1.1 billion Hindus, 500 million Buddhists, and 10 million Jews. All of these other faiths claim they are the way to God. However, outside of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, all other religions are false summits. No matter how many steps they climb, how hard they work, climbers are no closer to heaven than a snake’s belly in a wagon’s rut. They have not arrived, and they never will. The worst part? Their deception is eternal.
This breaks God’s heart! Hence his love compels us, Jesus authorizes us, and the Holy Spirit empowers us to go into all the world and make disciples. As we go, God sovereignly leads us to those who need to hear the Good News. To whom will you go?
Your Turn
Prayer:
Father empower me to share Jesus with those around me, and to help disciple the nations whether across the street or around the world.
Fast Thoughts:
If it’s the love of Christ that compels me, then may I endeavor to know Jesus and His surpassing love even more.
Song: