Strength in High Places

Monday, December 14, 2015

The prophet Habakkuk was troubled and confused about the corruption he saw all around. Habakkuk urgently cried out to God for help.  He asked God why evil people prosper while the righteous suffer. God answers, telling the prophet that although it seems as though the wicked triumph, eventually they will be judged, and righteousness will prevail. God promised Habakkuk that in his time all things would be taken care of.  The prophet moves from doubt to faith as he begins to trust that God works in all things. The book of Habakkuk concludes with a prayer of triumph as Habakkuk has a new understanding of God’s power and love.

Habakkuk declares that although the fig trees may not have blossom, there may be no grapes on the vines, the crop fails, the flocks die, and the cattle barns are empty, he will rejoice in the Lord.

If you are suffering through a difficult time, can you still trust that God is in control and working on your behalf? Habakkuk realized that even though life around him was crumbling, he knew that God would give him strength to persevere. You can know the same truth. When nothing makes sense in your life and troubles seem more than you can bear, God will still give you strength to make in through. Habakkuk likens this kind of strength to a deer treading on the heights.

 
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
    He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:19 (NLT)

Let’s look at other versions of this verse:

 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. (KJV)

The strength God gives is so surefooted it is compared to that found in a deer’s feet. A hind is a doe. A doe is equipped to get up on those high ledges. Habakkuk says God will make my feet like deer’s feet: Habakkuk thought of the deer running about on the high hills, never losing a step and never falling. More than that, the deer dance and leap along the hillside; they are full of life and joy. God provides stamina to endure hardships and energy to walk on high ledges like a deer. God gives His followers surefooted strength through difficult times so that we can come confidently through the most challenging of circumstances.  We like the deer can run across rough and dangerous terrain.

God wants our faith to lift us to new heights with him. God wants to equip us for high places. What are your high places? What are the most difficult circumstances? What areas of life challenge you most? What areas of responsibility are the most daunting to you? Know that God will give you the strength of a surefooted deer and will allow you to walk forward with faith and courage and confidence.