"Higher Ground" is a funk song written by Stevie Wonder which first appeared on his 1973 album Innervisions. The song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the US Hot R&B Singles chart. Wonder wrote and recorded the song in a three-hour burst of creativity in May 1973. The album version of the song contains an extra verse and runs 30 seconds longer than the single version. The unique wah-clavinet sound in the song was achieved with a Mu-tron III envelope filter pedal. The bass line is provided by a Moog synthesizer. Using overdubs, Wonder played all instruments on the track, including drums. The song was also released in the UK "Higher Ground" but achieved only modest success, reaching only #29 in the UK Singles Chart. Higher Ground was covered by Franky Perez and the Forest Rangers for the "Sons Of Anarchy" TV Series and appeared on "Songs Of Anarchy" Music CD Volume 2 which was released November 19th 2012. This soundtrack album featured music from the FX television program Sons of Anarchy, and is a follow-up to the 2011 release Songs of Anarchy: Music from Sons of Anarchy Seasons 1–4 and several earlier EPs from the popular show. Songs include covers of "Sympathy for the Devil," "Higher Ground," and "Travelin' Band," as well as several original tracks. Performers include Jane's Addiction, with most tracks performed by longtime SOA contributors The Forest Rangers.
Soldiers keep on warrin'
World keep on turnin'
Cause it won't be too long
Powers keep on lyin'
While your people keep on dyin'
World keep on turnin'
Cause it won't be too long
I'm so darn glad he let me try it again
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
Till I reach my highest ground
Teachers keep on teachin'
Preachers keep on preachin'
World keep on turnin'
Cause it won't be too long
Oh no
Lovers keep on lovin'
Believers keep on believin'
Sleepers just stop sleepin'
Cause it won't be too long
Oh no
I'm so glad that he let me try it again
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
Till I reach my highest ground...Whew!
Till I reach my highest ground
No one's gonna bring me down
Oh no
Till I reach my highest ground
Don't let nobody bring you down (they'll sho 'nuff try)
God is gonna show you higher ground
He's the only friend you have around
This track is about the inevitability of the direction of the world. The feeling that the world is heading for anarchy, destruction, chaos and is on a track that cannot be altered. The naractor in the song is giving thanks for "Higher Ground", thanks for the ability to rise above the inevatibility of the world. It's about hope and being in charge of your own destiny. There is aloso thought here about a longing to rise above the world, to somehow head in a direction to higher ground that means saftey, security and protection. In all the devotions this week we will be exploring thoughts of setting aside time, or taking time out. A retreat if you like and how important it is to find ways in which to disengage with our surroundings and engage more full with God. This mornings reading sets that theme firmly in place.
Have you ever given any thought to the fact that in order to understand and appreciate someone or something, you must take time to know them? People, works of art, literature, music, and even the glories of creation, seldom yield themselves to the casual observer. We must purposely slow our pace, narrow our focus, and become attentive in order to experience the joy of appreciation and understanding.
This is certainly true of our relationship with God. Unless we purpose to seek him, we will miss the marrow of life. David understood this truth. Listen as he speaks in Psalm 63.
David explains that his soul earnestly desired to know the living God. His desire was as a thirst, which his world could not satisfy. So he tells us that the only thing which could relieve his deep quenching was to seek God because His lovingkindness was better than life itself. He goes on to proclaim that in knowing God and His lovingkindness, his soul would be satisfied with marrow and fatness. this is the "Higher Ground" that David is searching for.
Taking time to focus on God and our relationship to Him, in the midst of the “hurry” of life, is called personal retreat. The dictionary defines “retreat” as a drawing back, a withdrawal to a safe or private place; a period of seclusion, especially one devoted to religious contemplation away from the pressures of ordinary life.” Some in our modern religious communities would rather use the word, “advance.” Whatever your terminology, getting away with God to "Higher Ground"is truly necessary. The horticulturist prepares geraniums by first exposing them to their ultimate harsh outdoor environment in pots. As the wind dries them out, they are brought indoors and sprayed with water to give them a chance to recover before putting them outside again. Eventually they will ready to be planted permanently outdoors.
In personal retreat, a more favourable climate for spiritual growth and health exists. We temporarily withdraw from the drying winds, baking sun, and freezing nights of a world that by nature is hostile to spiritual life. There are those who seem uncomfortable with the idea of personal retreat, especially in light of the great needs and opportunities for service around them. But it is precisely because of these needs and opportunities that a personal retreat is needed. Jesus himself showed us that before and after he met the people and their enormous needs, he was compelled to take time to seek His Father, not only for guidance but also to be revived and strengthened. His life illustrates the perfect life: one of retreat followed by intense involvement in the world.
Jesus summed it up when He said, “(he) shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9b) Note the two distinct calls: Go and Come. He sends us to a needy world in His name, and He calls us to draw near that He might reveal Himself to us and through us.
It has been suggested that a fast-paced life is an opiate. The activity and pressure provides the adrenaline that causes us to believe all is well because we think we are thriving on the frenzy. It is not until our motor stalls that we face the sobering reality that all that busyness has sapped us of spiritual vitality. We are commanded in the book of Hebrews, to enter into His rest, the rest prepared for us. Rest in scripture actually signifies a state of spiritual health and well being, not an escape from nothingness. Taking time out is needed to break the intensity of activity, to slow down, to replenish, to regroup, to revitalise, to meet with the living God and delight in Him.
What A search for "Higher Ground" Will Do For You
1. EXTEND your fellowship with God: As with any personal relationship, fellowship is nurtured by spending time together. God announces he is always ready to meet with you. He takes special note of times when His people reverence Him and think upon His Name. " Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD listened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” (Mal 3:16)
2. ENLARGE your perspective: Spending time with God, hearing His Word, worshipping in spirit & truth, praying for deeper understanding, will allow you to see circumstances, people and things from God’s perspective. He will allow us vision to see the unseen, and the tangible things of life will fall into their proper place. He will even strengthen our spiritual defenses. All of this is only possible when “we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
3. ENGAGE in intercessory prayer: How often in the “hurry” of life do we forget to pray. So often opportunities are lost to see the hand of God move. There are unbelieving friends and relatives, missionaries, neighbours, government leaders, pastors who need your prayers. Followers of Jesus can see God influence people and change events as they pray.
Taking time out to get to higher ground will do wonders for you won life as a disciple of Jesus. It will help you engage more fully with your working life, It will help you klisten more attentivly to things that are going on around you. It says in the scripture that Jesus often was found in lonely places and if it was a important part of life and ministry for his then it should be with us.
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