2 Samuel 22:1-23:23 / Acts 2 / Psalm 122 / Proverbs 16:19-20
Maybe it’s just me but there are days, weeks, months and sometimes years where I feel like I’m not making much progress in my spiritual life, much less affecting the lives of others. Then again, maybe I’m too hard on myself. When we’re focused on the surroundings of our own fishbowl, it’s difficult to see how far we’ve come. That’s why Christian community is so vital.
Some of our greatest growth happens when we’re in close relationship with others. We don’t grow well alone because there is no one to challenge our views that might be off-base according to scripture. I’ve mentioned to you recently that one in my community looked into my life and heard a word to describe me, which blessed me so much! She heard the word “surefooted” (I shared on this previously) and as I was reading the scriptures for today, I came across a verse I believe God is using as a model for my life in this season.
There is so much richness in today’s readings that it’s difficult to choose just this one verse. As a matter of fact, I feel I could spend a year just in 2 Samuel (which is a requote of portions of the book of Psalms). After reading this, plus Acts 2 where the young church explodes after receiving the gift of Holy Spirit, I was fired up!
But there is just one verse I want to talk about, and I want to dive as deep into this verse as I’m able using the Strong’s Concordance and my own experience and thoughts. The verse I want to talk about is 2 Samuel 22:34.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
Before I dive into the meaning, I want to tell you about a vision I had. In my vision I saw the face of a white deer, then a crown on my head, but not your typical crown. This crown was woven horns like a deer would have, only they went up and back about three feet above my head instead of out to the sides like usual.
I hope that picture is clear. While I don’t have a full meaning of this vision from the Lord, I am sure the above verse is part of what He’s telling me about who I am. If He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights, I want to know more about what that means.
He makes my feet like deer’s feet (surefooted) = He levels and equalizes my feet. He counterbalances me and causes me to become like (the deer). He levels, smooths, and sets my feet. He enables me to endure.
If you’ve studied the history of the deer or hind, you know they are adept at climbing among rocky mountain ranges without losing their footing. Contrary to our wishes, life is not a smooth, level road. Life has a way of throwing us curves and rocky places. But if we are like the deer, God allows us to remain surefooted in the hard places.
Enabling me to stand on mountain heights (NASB – sets me on my high places) = He causes me to stand, to take my stand, to be in a standing attitude, to stand still and stop moving, endure, persist, be steadfast, to hold my ground. Where? On the high places, mountains or battlefields.
If you’ve read much of scripture, you know that the “high places” in the Old Testament were the places where pagan altars were set up. This is where false gods were worshiped. The men of God were told throughout Israel’s history to tear down the high places where idol worship took place. So, it’s interesting to me that God enables us to stand in enemy territory as we battle with His help!
When we’re on a high place, we’re preparing to survey the land, find where our enemies are hidden and plan and execute a strategy for battle. Our enemy is always at war with us, trying to kill and steal from us. So, of course, God strengthens us to stand strong, see what our enemy is doing, and fight in battle against him.
If we do not fight, the devil takes away the place we stand, our ability to believe God, etc. We must always be prepared to fight against his plans. And it’s exciting and comforting that God is aware of this battle and prepares us to be strong. The good news is that when we’re in Christ, we never fight alone.
That’s what this verse is telling you and me – we are going to have battles, but God enables us to stand strong. So, don’t grow tired. Rest a bit then get right back up and stand in the place God has called you. Endure the hardship and you will come out the other side in victory!
