God of the Hills and Plains

The Syrian army was no match for a Yahweh-led Israelite force. Scrambling for answers, the trusted advisers of the Syrian king came up with an idea...

Then the servants of the king of Syria said to him, "Their gods are gods of the hills. Therefore they were stronger than we; but if we fight against them in the plain, surely we will be stronger than they." - 1 Kings 20:23 (NKJV)

The king heeds his servants' strategy... a strategy no doubt influenced by the inherent limitations of the pagan gods of the surrounding countries. Each nation's god was limited in power and influence. Therefore, nations had many gods: a god of harvest, fertility, a god of war, a god of peace, etc.

One would assume that Israel's God was no different. One would assume that was limited in power. Limited in influence. Limited in provision. The Israelites' resounding victory seemed to imply that Yahweh' source of strength lay in the hills of Samaria.

There was just one problem.

He wasn't, and isn't like other gods.

Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, "Thus says the Lord: Because the Syrians have said, 'The Lord is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys,' therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord." - 1 Kings 20:28

He's not just God of the hills. He's God of the valleys, too. He's the God of the heartaches. The God of the brokenhearted. The God of the cancer-stricken. The God of the shamed.

He's also God of the promotion at work. The God of the joy of a newborn child. The God of a mother's embrace.

He's God. He's not limited, He's not weak, He's not a "little 'g' God." He's God.

We forget that. That's ok. I do, too. You just needed to be reminded. Some folks struggle with the valleys, because they fear or believe that God is absent. Others struggle with the mountains, having been taught so much about suffering and struggle that they forget that God is the God of the good things as well.

He's God, plain and simple. He's not weak. He's not limited. He loves you. No matter the sin you committed, He's got grace for you. No matter the fear you feel over what you're facing tomorrow at the doctor's appointment, He's got peace for you.

And during those times where things are going right and heaven itself seems to be pouring down? He's there too.


By His Grace,

Adam