“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.” Habakkuk 3:19
Dear Ones:
The Bible has a good deal to say about keeping one’s footing. It speaks of the wicked in “slippery places.” (Pa. 73:18) The Lord also speaks of the believer sometimes realizing that his “…steps had well nigh slipped.” (73:2) Moses would pray for the “establishing of his works,” the stabilizing work of God in and through the life, whereby one’s works remain in tact, even blessed in the future, as as testimony to the grace and mercy of God. Paul writes to the Corinthian believers: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58) So, we see that, though at times, our steps could slip because of difficult circumstances, or opposition by the enemy, yet the call of God remains intact. We are to STAND, WITHSTAND, remain unmovable in perspective and resolve with regard to doing the will of God, and finishing well one’s course, and work, on this earth. The question then becomes, “How?” How can one be so discerning, so strong, so wise, and willing, to avoid the “slippery places,” and know the reality of one’s steps being kept, blessed, and even confirmed by the peace and blessing of God?
When David, though anointed by God to be Israel’s king, was fleeing for his life before Saul, there were many times when it seemed that he was in a very slippery, dangerous place, where is his life and calling were in question. On one occasion, David, and the men who had joined him in fleeing Saul, had taken refuge in a city named Ziklag. David, at one point6, took his men with him, leaving he city basically unguarded. The enemy came, kidnapped everyone there, took all that belonged to David and his men, burned the city, and fled. David’s men were so very despondent and sorrowful, that they spoke of killing him. It is at that moment that David enquires of God for the answer to the matter. His feet were well nigh slipping, but at the moment he sought God, help from heaven came. God told him what to do. He obeyed God with feet of faith firmly planted. He thus retrieved all the kidnapped people, and all that belonged to them. What was the key for David, that his feet not slip, though it seemed he was well on his way to know the experience of it? The key to his life, revealed at this time, is his individual worship of God. That which was born out of that worship was a remembrance of God’s faithfulness and His calling of him. It would be, as he sought the Lord, that the Lord would be gracious in answering him, providing the solution to the matter. Victory ensued, as David’s feet of faith remained planted, established on the rock of God’s faithfulness according to his word.
On one occasion, when Jesus and his disciples encountered a storm at sea, one which risked to overwhelm them, sink the ship, and kill all on board, we might say that the disciple’s feet began to slip, as they feared greatly. They would even come to Jesus, asleep on the boat in the midst of the storm, telling Him: “Master, Master, we perish.” (Luke 8:24) After Jesus stood up, rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, there was a great calm. He then asked the disciples: “Where is your faith?” (ov.25) Jesus’ question directed the disciple’s attention to the great issue at hand, that of “slippery places,” and steps that almost slipped, as fear had seized them, and all “reason” had left them with regard to God’s perspective. Faith needed to be directed only to God, fixed upon the knowledge of the will of God.
The great lessons here are at least two. First, stability in the overwhelming shifting of circumstances, comes from worshipping God. Secondly, Christ gives stability in answer to faith.
Dear Father, Establish us in Thee always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad