High, Rocky Places

Image by auntie rain via Flickr

"High, Rocky, Places" By Diane Webb

Habakkuk 3: 19a—"The Lord is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places."

The back two feet of a four legged animal are the strongest. Habakkuk, therefore, is indicating the Lord will make his feet like those strongest back feet of an animal such as a goat. He is expressing his faith in God to give him the strength he needs to walk in the high, dangerous places of the mountain. Think of a mountain goat which has to navigate the rocks and cliffs of mountains relying on his feet to keep him from falling. A mountain goat must be sure-footed in order to live in the high peaks of mountainous areas. When Habakkuk refers to high places, he is talking about dangerous places. He expresses his faith that God will give his feet the strength to get him through the rough spots. We all go through rough spots. There are times we are vulnerable to a possible miss-step that could cause us to fall. Like Habakkuk, have confidence in God's ability to strengthen you in the areas you need to be strengthened in order to get through the high places of your life. What are some of the high places you've had to walk through? Have you had to go through a bad marriage and then a bitter divorce? Have you been deeply betrayed unexpectedly? Have you had to cope with a difficult child? Have you been mistreated by someone you love? All of these are rough, high places. Looking back on it, can you see how God strengthened you? Aren't you a much stronger person now than you were before? Climbing up and walking over the rocks is not always pleasant but somehow we do make it through with God's help. Notice Habakkuk says "he will make me to walk upon mine high places". He does not say, "When I walk upon mine high places". This verse clearly states that God does, in fact, force us into some areas we may not be comfortable in. The places he pushes us to go may, in fact, appear dangerous. The scripture here, however, assures you that no matter where God sends you he will strengthen you so you can walk where you need to walk. Have you been surprised at times about where you have been able to go and what you've been able to go through? With God's help, we have accomplished and can accomplish things we never before would have thought possible. How many times have you said, "I didn't think I could do it" or "I didn't think I'd make it"? You did make it and you did do it. All of us are stronger than we give ourselves credit for. We doubt ourselves and our abilities which hampers our progress. The uncertainty is because we have our eyes on the rocks, the edge of the cliffs, or what's over the side if we fall. When we keep our eyes on our goal—the kingdom of God—we are not so scared by the terrain around us. Do you remember as a child being somewhere very dark—having to walk through the dark to get to the house or another room in the house? Didn't you make it through the dark by keeping your eyes on the light? Jesus is the light. As you navigate the high places, keep your eyes on Jesus. You won't notice so much the things of this world—the dangerous or high places will not seem so bad. Your feet will be like the strong, back feet of the mountain goat as you walk across the high mountain paths. The high mountain paths sometime go around the rocks and sometime go over them. Regardless of which path you take, as long as you are moving toward the light of Jesus, you are making progress.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for strengthening me in the areas I need to be strong in. Thank you for the high places in life which help me increase my faith and dependence on you. Without you, Lord, I have no strength. Please help me remember this. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.