There are three points of reflection that I'd like to focus on for a moment, and they are Basis, Debasis, and Repentance. We've read in the book of Genesis that God had given our predecessors - Adam and Eve a place to rule and dwell and a base or basis or standard through which they could build and fulfill their purpose. This standard was and still remains to be a God who cannot change, and his righteous will communicated through his word. Adam and Eve were set - in a High Place!  They had everything they could want or need in the garden in the presence of the Lord.

And as we move to our next point of reflection we find in scripture that Adam and Eve, in fact all of humanity that followed, encountered temptation from the very beginning and succumbed. The result is the continual falling off, or falling away which is manifested in the brokenness of all creation, which we see around us and in us. In this debased state we cry out, "I've fallen and I can't get up!" But God has intervened decisively in our midst through Jesus Christ, the firstfruit of a new humanity, who successfully resisted the most basic of all temptations from the beginning of his ministry, and that temptation is mans desire to exalt his will over the will of God - pride.

We see Jesus in the book of Matthew in the fourth chapter thwarting the enemies tactics with the best defense given to creation, as he stands on, and embodies the very standard given to Adam and Eve - the Word of God!  And Jesus opens the way for all who enter into life in him to be restored, to be reconciled, to draw near to A Higher Place.

Which bring us to our third and final point of reflection saints. If our disobedience to the will of God has brought us low to a debased place, then it is only through the efficacious blood of Christ, the Word made flesh, can we approach the Higher Place that God is calling us to. God calls humanity to confess their sins before God, repent of our sins, and accept Christ as Lord and Savior. 2Chr. 7:14 If my people who are called by my name would humble themselves and pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then would I hear from heaven forgive their sin and heal their land.

The prefix "re" in repent means to do something again. The suffix "pent" transliterates from the greek penta which means five - which is the biblical number for Grace, but the suffix pent also refers to the highest place. Saints it is through God's grace and mercy that he bids us to come to a higher place. This is more clearly elucidated when pent is a prefix as in the word Penthouse - the highest dwelling in a building or the word "pentultimate" - as if ultimate wasn't high enough. When God calls us to repent he is calling us out of the debased experience of sinful separation from the Godhead to the highest place of relationship with God – AGAIN! It is a high place of restoration, and reconciliation to the Godhead through Jesus the Christ our savior and redeemer.

Romans 6 vs 3 & 4 state that, "all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live (and be raised) to a new life." 

Songwriter Ron Kenoly stated the point so eloquently when he sang, "Down at the feet of the Lord, is the most high place. In the very presence of the Lord we seek his face. Why?! Because there is no Higher Calling, no greater honor than to bow and kneel before the throne of God." It is there  - in that higher place that we are amazed by his glory. It is there – in that higher place that we are embraced by God's mercy! And it is there - that we live to worship God through Jesus Christ Our Lord!

During this season of consecration, may you find yourself continually down at the feet of the Lord for it is truly the Most High Place. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior, our redeemer, and our very best friend. Amen

LORD PLANT MY FEET ON HIGHER GROUND

Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1898 (1856-1922)

1. I'm pressing on the upward way, New heights I'm gaining every day; Still praying as I'm onward bound, "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground." 2. My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where these abound, My prayer, my aim is higher ground.

3. I want to live above the world, Though Satan's darts at me are hurled; For faith has caught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground. 4. I want to scale the utmost height And catch a gleam of glory bright; But still I'll pray, 'til heaven I've found "Lord, lead me on to higher ground."

Refrain: Lord, lift me up and let me stand By faith on heaven's table-land, A higher plane than I have found: Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.