MOUNT UP!

MOUNT UP!

Small-Group Devotional and Discussion Guide

Theme

God calls believers to rise above discouragement, spiritual attacks, and the noise of the enemy by fixing their eyes on Him, waiting in His presence, and standing in their position in Christ.

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Key Scripture

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

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Opening Question

When you hear the words “Mount up!”, what comes to mind?

Share about a time when you knew you needed to stop sitting still and move forward in faith.

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Devotional: Rise Above the Attack

Life with God is a great adventure, but it is not always an easy journey. Like cowboys riding across difficult terrain, believers will encounter hardships, delays, opposition, and moments of exhaustion.

Isaiah spoke to God’s people during a time when they felt discouraged and forgotten. They wondered whether God still saw them or cared about what they were experiencing.

But Isaiah reminded them that God is the everlasting Creator. He never becomes tired, confused, overwhelmed, or powerless. He gives strength to the weak and renews those who place their hope in Him.

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 40:21–31

God’s people may become weary, but God never does.

We may not understand what He is doing, but He is never puzzled about what to do next. When our natural strength is exhausted, His strength remains available.

Waiting on the Lord does not mean doing nothing. It means trusting Him, remaining faithful, staying close to His presence, and refusing to give up.

Those who wait upon Him will receive renewed strength.

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1. Lift Up Your Eyes

Scripture References: Isaiah 40:25–26; Hebrews 12:2

Isaiah told God’s people to lift their eyes and remember who created the heavens. Their circumstances had become so large in their minds that they had lost sight of the greatness of God.

We can make the same mistake. When we continually focus on our problems, fears, and disappointments, they begin to appear greater than God.

Faith changes our focus.

We do not deny that the problem exists. We simply refuse to believe that the problem is greater than the God we serve.

Discussion Questions

1. What circumstances are most likely to distract your attention from God?
2. How does continually focusing on a problem affect your faith and emotions?
3. What are some practical ways we can “lift up our eyes” toward God?
4. What does it mean to fix our eyes on Jesus?

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2. God Has Not Forgotten You

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 40:27

Israel complained that its way was hidden from the Lord. The people felt overlooked, forgotten, and ignored.

Our feelings can be real without always being true.

We may feel forgotten, but God has not forgotten us. We may feel abandoned, but God remains present. We may not see Him working, but that does not mean He is inactive.

God’s silence does not mean His absence.

God’s delay does not mean His denial.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever gone through a season when you felt forgotten by God?
2. Why is it important to distinguish between what we feel and what God’s Word says?
3. How can we encourage someone who feels that God is not paying attention to their situation?
4. What truth about God do you need to remember during seasons of waiting?

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3. Receive God’s Strength

Scripture References: Isaiah 40:28–30; 2 Corinthians 12:9

Even young and naturally strong people eventually become weary. Human strength, determination, talent, and ability all have limits.

God does not expect us to overcome every difficulty through our own strength. He invites us to depend upon His power.

God gives power to the weak and increases the strength of those who have no might.

Admitting weakness is not defeat. It is an invitation for God’s strength to work through us.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do people sometimes have difficulty admitting that they are tired or weak?
2. What is the difference between relying on your own strength and relying on God?
3. In what area of your life do you currently need God to renew your strength?
4. How can a small group help carry one another during seasons of weakness?

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4. Praise Renews Our Perspective

Scripture References: Psalm 103:1–5; Psalm 22:3

David learned to speak to his own soul and remind himself of God’s goodness.

He remembered that God forgives, heals, redeems, crowns His people with mercy, and renews their strength.

Praise redirects our attention.

Praise does not pretend that the battle is not happening. Praise declares that God is greater than the battle.

When we remember what God has already done, we gain faith for what He will do next.

Discussion Questions

1. How does praise change our perspective during difficult circumstances?
2. Why is it easy to remember our problems but forget God’s benefits?
3. What is one thing God has done for you that you never want to forget?
4. How can praise become part of your response instead of only part of a church service?

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5. Fly Higher Than the Noise

Crows sometimes attack larger birds by surrounding them, making noise, and repeatedly distracting them. The attack is designed to wear the larger bird down.

In the same way, the enemy often attacks believers through repeated accusations, fear, negativity, confusion, and pressure.

His goal is to keep our minds focused on the noise.

The eagle’s response is not to remain at the level of the attack. It rises higher.

Believers must also rise above the enemy’s noise by turning their focus toward God.

We cannot allow every negative voice to have access to our minds. We must learn to recognize which thoughts agree with God’s Word and which thoughts are intended to produce fear and confusion.

Discussion Questions

1. What kinds of negative thoughts or voices tend to wear people down?
2. How can you identify whether a thought agrees with God’s truth?
3. What happens when we spend more time listening to the enemy than listening to God?
4. What does “flying higher” look like in your everyday life?

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6. Stand in Your Position in Christ

Scripture References: Ephesians 1:20–21; Ephesians 2:4–7; Colossians 3:1–3

Jesus has been raised and seated far above every principality, power, might, and dominion.

Through Christ, believers have also been raised and seated with Him in heavenly places.

We do not fight for victory as though the outcome is uncertain. We stand in the victory Jesus has already won.

The enemy wants believers to live beneath fear, intimidation, and condemnation. But our position in Christ is above the authority of the defeated enemy.

Our confidence is not based on our own power. It is based on the finished work of Jesus.

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean to be seated with Christ in heavenly places?
2. How should our position in Christ affect the way we respond to fear?
3. What is the difference between fighting for victory and standing in Christ’s victory?
4. In what area do you need to begin living from your identity in Christ?

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Practical Steps: How Do We Mount Up?

1. Look Up

Fix your eyes on Jesus instead of continually focusing on your circumstances.

Reference: Hebrews 12:2

2. Wait on the Lord

Remain faithful, prayerful, obedient, and expectant.

Reference: Isaiah 40:31

3. Remember God’s Faithfulness

Call to mind what God has already done.

Reference: Psalm 103:1–5

4. Praise Through the Pressure

Choose worship instead of allowing worry to dominate your thoughts.

Reference: Psalm 22:3

5. Stand in Your Position

Remember that you have been raised and seated with Christ.

Reference: Ephesians 2:4–7

6. Keep Moving Forward

Continue running your race and walking by faith.

References: Isaiah 40:31; Hebrews 12:1

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Personal Reflection

What situation has been consuming most of my attention?

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What negative voice or thought do I need to reject?

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Where have I been relying on my own strength?

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What has God already done that I need to remember?

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What would it look like for me to “mount up” this week?

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Weekly Challenge

Choose one situation that has been producing fear, weariness, or discouragement.

Each day this week:

1. Read Isaiah 40:31.
2. Spend several minutes praising God.
3. Thank Him for something He has already done.
4. Reject thoughts that do not agree with His Word.
5. Take one practical step forward in faith.

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Group Declaration

Read together:

We will not remain at the level of the attack.

We will lift our eyes toward the Lord.

We will wait upon Him and trust His faithfulness.

We will remember what He has already done.

We will praise Him through the pressure.

We will stand in our position in Christ.

We will rise above fear, confusion, accusation, and discouragement.

We will mount up with wings like eagles.

We will run and not be weary.

We will walk and not faint.

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Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the everlasting God who never grows tired or weary. Forgive us for the times we have focused more on our problems than on Your greatness. Help us lift our eyes toward You and remember that You have not forgotten us.

Renew our strength as we wait upon You. Teach us to rise above fear, confusion, accusation, and discouragement. Help us praise You through every season and stand firmly in the victory Jesus has already won.

Give us the courage to mount up, move forward, and live from our position in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.