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REFLECTION

High places were designated places usually on hills and mountains for worship. It was also believed that high places were the ideal places for worshippers to get closer to their deities. It was a long-standing practice among pagans. In some contexts, a high place is created through an elevated platform for the purpose of sacrificing to a deity. Before King Solomon built the Temple at Jerusalem as the only high place for the Israelites to worship God, we are told that “The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places, because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the LORD. Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon, the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (1 Kings 3:2-5)

Dear friend, although in the past people designated high places as worship centres for God, we are no longer obligated in our dispensation to worship God at a high place or on an elevated space or platform. We can worship God anywhere so long we have faith. The writer of Hebrews admonishes “without faith, it is impossible to please God,because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) In some parts of Africa and I believe it is the same in other places in the world, people still believe that by going to the apex of a mountain to pray you are closer to God and He will hear your prayer. For instance, there are some beautiful and breathtaking mountains and hills in Ghana where Christians travel from their respective regions to pray to God for a miracle or divine intervention in their respective situations. In as much as these high places provide a serene atmosphere which is conducive to prayer and other spiritual activities, it does not make them more important than other geographical locations of worship. Jesus has assured us that “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) and this includes everywhere we find ourselves as believers. In other words, He is with us regardless of our geographical location. In the twenty-first century, some pastors and prophets still hold the erroneous view that worshipping in high places is the only way believers can experience the manifestation of the Holy Spirit or miracles in their lives. Some Christians obey these teachings and leave the comfort of their chapel buildings and homes and travel long distances to mountain tops to observe several days of fasting and prayers. It is important to understand that prayers are not answered by God because we climbed up the high place to pray. Prayers are answered because we believed in Jesus Christ. In 1 John 5:13-15, John reminds us that, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him (1 John 5:13-15) Again, Peter also said to the Jews that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. (Acts 10:38). Jesus did not specifically invite people to meet Him at a high place before He heals or delivers them from their predicaments. Dear friend, worship at high places is sometimes ideal for continuous and undisturbed meditation or reflection on the Word of God and prayer, however, the geographical location of a designated high place for worship does not guarantee that it is the only place God will acknowledge our worship. In other words, everywhere including a high place is ideal for worship and prayer so long as we have faith in God and continue to do His will. Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, while other gods are confined to geographical locations and high places, You are everywhere because are the Creator of the universe, the beginning and the end. We believe You are always with us everywhere we are. Strengthen our faith to worship you everywhere we find ourselves and may our prayer be answered everywhere we call upon your name. Amen