Moving Water Uphill
“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it.” (Isaiah 2:2)
In our passage, Isaiah pictures this great day when the nations will be brought into the fold, and the Mount of the Lord will be exalted above all else. However, I see a problem. I may not be the smartest knife in the drawer, but I do know that water flows downhill. Yet in our passage, the nations flow up the mountain. What is going on here?
First, we know that men naturally flow away from God. Ever since Genesis 3, we have flowed away from Eden, drifting further and further east. Our thoughts flow away from God, for “the thoughts and intentions of man’s heart is only evil from his youth.” (Gen. 6:5) Isn’t this true? A grown man can tell you about how the ratio of gunpowder to lead will affect the overall trajectory of a bulletin when the wind is blowing over 5mph from the northeast, but ask him about God. He’ll have nothing to say. More than that, our affections flow away from God. Cain’s hatred for Abel was greater than his love for God, and this pattern has not changed. Paul states in Romans 8: “The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God.” When our thoughts are not on God, our hearts aren’t either. When our minds are filled with worldly thoughts, we shouldn’t be surprised when our hearts are filled with love for the world. Love for the world is always a hatred for God. In the end, our actions flow away from God. Cain had no problem murdering one made in God’s image, for he had long since murdered God in his heart. Romans is clear: “None seek after God.” We are quick to leave for a game, slow to come to church. Am I right?
And yet, men will flow uphill to God. How does this happen, except that God first came down to us? The Son of God left that heavenly Jerusalem to take on flesh for us and for our salvation. What does He say? “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to Myself.” (John 12:32) From Mount Calvary, salvation goes forth with power, overcoming the wayward and wandering hearts of thieves, of soldiers, and of countless multitudes. When Jesus ascended on high, He poured out the Holy Spirit that men may pour up the mountain to God. Do we see what a miracle this is? As miraculous as it would be to see water flowing uphill, even more so is it to see man flowing to God. This is nothing less than a new birth, a new heart, a new creation altogether.
Salvation is a supernatural work, so are we asking for the same? Are we seeking God’s face, pleading that the intercession of Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit would draw men up the mountain? You can’t push water uphill, but Christ can and will draw men up the mountain. Let it be so now!
