via TJC
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
Habakkuk 3:17-18
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.” ~Habakkuk 3:19
Before TJC I was in a running group with one of the leaders. The words in Habakkuk 3:19 were a part of what we called our “Runner’s Verse”. We prayed these words before every run. The funny thing is that we would read them from 2 Samuel 22:34. It’s also recorded in Psalm 18:36.
David sings it after the Lord delivers him from the hand of Saul. Habakkuk sings it after coming to terms with the fact that even if things aren’t going the way we want, we still rejoice in the Lord.
It got me thinking. There must be something to this promise. A deer is agile and sure-footed on unstable ground. When things are unsure, the Lord gives us the strength to be sure footed and access the best perspective. The group Caedmond’s Call has a song called “Lead of Love”. The chorus says, “Though I question the sky, now I see why, I had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view.”
I’ve had to walk a lot of rocks in my life. At many times my footing was unstable. And I didn’t understand most of it at the time. But like for Israel, I pledge to be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk, like all of the prophets, isn’t about doom and the wrath of God. It’s about a Father who continuous returns and continuously redeems, because of his love. That’s the “something” in the promise. Whatever it is what ever the rocks, the Lord will give us sure footing, and ability to stand on the heights and rejoice in His Goodness and Love.
Daily Battle Order:
Listen to Caedmon’s Call “Lead of Love”. Look at the rocks in your life from the position of the mountain top. Rejoice in the Lord and be joyful that your Savior will give you the agility and sure footing you need for the next set of rocks.
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