Growing up, I did not consider much what all the lyrics to the hymns actually meant. I heard some truths reflected in the songs as they reiterated verses from the Bible, but truthfully I was usually more drawn to the tunes than the words themselves. But as I've come to pay more attention to lyrics in general, I have also received a ministering from God as He used, not only the melodies, but also the words to comfort me in my darkest moments, uplift me into His love, and encourage me on His paths.
The hymn Higher Ground displays this act of leaving behind our own efforts and seeking a higher way, gaining new heights every day (see verse 1 below) as we learn more about God and His ways.
For it isn't until we humbly admit that nothing we could do, gain, or hold here on earth could ever provide a stable foothold, can we begin to so desire the solid foundation that is found in Christ alone.
To remain grasping at things of the world, whether that be a relationship title, a certain amount of money, a job position, etc., will only always lead to constant doubts and fears. Doubts that these can sustain us, fear of what will happen if they are lost. So all our energy is spent rebuilding this shaky foundation and making sure we don't lose what we've already gained.
However, there is a solid foundation that will never crumble underneath are feet and we can never lose - His name is Jesus.
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” - Jesus in John 10:28
In Colossians 3:1-2 it says that if we have been raised with Christ (been saved) than we should seek the things that are above (in heaven) because that is where Jesus is sitting at God's right hand:
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
When we seek “to live above the world,” unbothered by all the troubles here, no longer striving after everything the world says you need, but filled with the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7) - then Satan begins attacking us.
Satan doesn't want us to hear “the joyful sound, the song of saints on higher ground” (verse 4), he wants our focus on everything that could go wrong, dismayed by everything that is going wrong in the moment, and burdened by everything that has already gone wrong.
For Satan came to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). He wants to steal our joy in Jesus, to kill our hope of salvation, and to destroy our relationship with the God of the universe who desires to be called our Father and to call us His children.
So how do we battle these attacks from Satan? How do we overcome the wear and tear his fiery darts have on our being and lives?
By praying. The first and fourth verses and the chorus all end with a prayer to God to “lead me on” or “plant my feet on higher ground.”
And by setting our eyes, our focus, our perspective on heaven, God's plans, and the ultimate outcome of what will certainly come to be.
Maybe now we cannot see how things could possibly get better. Maybe we are still thinking that all is lost or too far gone. And that is okay, but now is the time to let go of the dismay and fears, because trusting God is laying all these things we don't understand along with all the best case scenarios we could imagine at God’s feet and saying:
“I don't know how you will redeem this moment. This is the best outcome I can imagine. But I am going to trust You with however this turns out because You are more than capable of making something good out of this. For it is written that You make everything beautiful in its time” (see Ecclesiastes 3:11).
1 I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining ev'ry 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.
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. [Refrain]
3 I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught a joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground. [Refrain]
4 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, lead me on to higher ground.” [Refrain]
- Higher Ground by Johnson Oatman, Jr. and Charles H. Gabriel