Lord Plant My Feet On Higher Ground
By David J. Stewart | February 2014
Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
God doesn't expect any believer to be perfect. In fact, being perfect is not
possible in this ole earthly flesh. It is a common misperception amongst
newer believers that we need God's help to live right. Biblically, we need a
lot more than God's help, we need the Lord to live through us entirely if we
are to live godly. Notice in our text Scripture in Galatians 2:20 that “I
LIVE; YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME.” Amen, it doesn't get much plainer
than that. The Bible teaches that it is not me, but Christ in me that lives
the Christian life.
I recently heard the classic old hymn, “HIGHER GROUND,” which prompted me to write this article, because we are supposed to be moving higher-and-higher in our walk with God each passing year. Are we closer to God today than we were a year ago? Are we as concerned about bringing lost souls to Jesus today as we were a year ago? Are we 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? ...
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.”Refrain:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.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.I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
It is my prayer to be more for God today than I
was yesterday. May every day find us a better person. As former U.S.
President Benjamin Franklin wisely said, “Be at war with your vices, at
peace with your neighbours, and may every year find you a better man.”
Unfortunately, Benjamin Franklin died a sinner's death, having openly
rejected Christ's deity and the gospel.
We Live By Faith Just As We Are Saved By Faith
2nd Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
We read in Galatians 2:20, “...and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God...” The Christian life can only be lived BY FAITH, just as we are saved BY FAITH. All of us desire to live BY SIGHT, wanting to know where tomorrow's money, food, insurance, security and provisions will come from; but that's not living by faith. Living by faith doesn't mean to be careless and not wisely plan for the future; but it does mean that we don't worry, fret and allow money to control our decisions based upon concerns over tomorrow's provisions. We are supposed to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, in accordance with the principles laid out in the Word of God; not follow a career to have financial security, a bigger salary or increased benefits.
As 2nd Corinthians 5:7 tells us, “WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT.” The Hebrews in the Wilderness were provided for by God on a daily basis. The Lord provided manna from Heaven, a sweet type of food which appeared every morning for them to eat. God specifically commanded them NOT to save any of the manna for the next day. This clearly forced them to WALK BY FAITH. If the Hebrews worried whether or not they'd eat the following day or week, they'd save food and stockpile, and God would make the manna rot with maggots and stink. God forced His people to walk by faith, that is, the Lord made them trust Him. What if? What if the manna doesn't appear the day after tomorrow? What if we go hungry? What if my children have no food? What if there's not enough manna to feed everyone and my family suffers without? We can easily imagine all the worries, fears and concerns that having only enough food for one day could cause.
May we all learn as believers to WALK BY FAITH. The heathen world cannot walk by faith because they have no faith to begin with, which is why they are still unsaved and hellbound in their sins. Anyone who freely receives the gospel as full-payment for their sins is saved. And then we walk by the same faith by which we are saved, by trusted upon the Lord. Please understand that sonship is completely separate and different than discipleship and fellowship. There are many born-again believers who walk by sight, that is, they have placed their faith in the Lord for salvation, but they don't trust God to provide for them in this life, so they prioritize making money above serving the Lord. Our churches are filled with these types of people today, who are represented by the seeds in Luke 8:14 who fell amongst the thorns, being choked by the RICHES, cares and pleasures of this world.
May we all walk BY FAITH by obeying the Word of God, placing our love for Jesus above all else. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
