“Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.” 2 Samuel 22:37
Dear Ones:
In several places in the Old Testament, different writers have used a similar illustration to communicate the action, or work of God in their lives, and this in times of great upheaval, change, and pressure. In one of David’s songs, he wrote: “He (the Lord) makes my feet like hinds’ feet: and sets me upon my high places.” 2 Sam. 22:34) David wrote this after the Lord had delivered him from all of his enemies, and Saul. When we come to the book of Habakkuk, we find a similar picture, but this time, it is in view of God’s coming intervention: “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.” (3:19) The circumstances surrounding this declaration concern the impending invasion by the Chaldeans into Israel, because of Israel’s rejection of God, and their refusal to truly walk by faith. Habakkuk knows full well what this means, for he would write: “…the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls.” (3:18) The ravages of war consist, not only in terrible destruction of life and property, but also, the breakdown of the means to live and subsist. In other words, Habakkuk is looking at possible famine in the midst of devastation. What is Habakkuk’s reaction, and how is he going to trust God in such a circumstance?
Habakkuk, being very honest and forthright, gives a very clear assessment of the moral and spiritual state of the people of Israel: “…spoiling and violence are before me…the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth.” (1:3,4) God then opens Habakkuk’s eyes concerning what He is to do, in order to remedy the situation. Let us remember that God is ever seeking to save that which is lost. If He is bringing the Chaldeans against Israel to accomplish this, to save some who will seek Him, we must understand that this is a last resort. If there is to be again the “sowing of seed,” there must of necessity be the breaking up of the fallow ground.
The problem for Habakkuk is that he will be a witness to all of this. He expresses his fear, in the face of all that is to be unleashed upon the nation. He also turns that fear into prayer: “O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” (3:2) Habakkuk then looks up, and writes of the God of his hope, and that of the people. His description of His power, majesty, and salvation and mercy, are such as to revive his own soul in the face of that which causes him to tremble. In all of his understanding of this dire situation, and the hope in the mercy of God, Habakkuk, figuratively speaking, climbs a mountain, with steep slopes. On that mountain side, representing the perilous circumstances of his day, he finds, and proves, the sufficient strength of God. He writes: “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.” (3:19) These “hinds” of which he speaks were deer, or perhaps, mountain goats. Their footing on the slopes of the mountains is secure and steady. Those slopes are naturally dangerous, but the strength and stability of the hinds’ feet are such as to keep one from slipping. The testimony of this man of God, this man who will live by faith, is this: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation,” this One who is Habakkuk’s stability. (3:18)
Dear Father, open our eyes to see Thy great faithfulness as our strength and keeper. Keep our feet steady and secure upon the mountains of Thy choosing, ever rejoicing in Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad