Mountains

Mountains are awe inspiring barriers, impenetrable reminder of  the relative insignificance of man.
Psalm 125 talks of Jerusalem being surrounded by mountains, and reinforces the imagery of those trusting in the Lord being surrounded by His presence. In Manali we look up and see mountains around us every day. There are some allegorical  lessons that can hold much solace.

• They are always there. Despite dark thunderclouds obscuring the peaks, or hidden behind fog and cloud, the mountains are always there. When God's tangible presence is hidden by alien circumstance we can always be reassured that He is always there. 
• They may have a cap of snow in winter, and varied hues in the summer, but they really dont change very much at all. God's presence too, may manifest in varied seasons, but He does not change much at all. 
• They surround us, an impenetrable barrier to all. Anyone who wants to approach Manali would have to first deal with the mountains. Similarly, God's presence and protective hedge surrounds his people. 
• They provide shelter and solace to the flora and fauna of the region, dwelling in harmony with all around. 
• They can be a formidable enemy when landslides or inclement weather catches the unwary traveller unprepared. No one approaches a mountain lightly and if they do, it is usually to their own disadvantage. 
• We can look up to the mountains every day and remind ourselves of His constant presence. 

The Lord surrounds His people, both now and forever.