Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! For the Chief Musician; with my stringed instruments. (Habakkuk 3:17-19 AMP)
Last night I had the privilege of sharing some of my story with a group of amazing women and I shared this passage as one of my favorites. When I got home, I really started to think about it and meditate on the words. You know how you can read the same passage over and over and get something different out of it every time? That is what happened and last night I zeroed in on verse 19.
The first part of this passage talks about choosing to praise God no matter what comes. That is not an easy thing to do! The problem is, that if we don’t learn to keep our trust in Him during the hard times as well as the good, we will never be able to the amazing things that God has in store for us. To that end, He reminds us that we are not responsible for doing it on our own. HE is our Strength! And not only has He promised to be our strength, He will also be our courage and offer us the protection that we need to step out and do whatever He has planned for us.
For many years, I held a very warped idea of what God’s role as our Father was based on the poor example set by both my father and step father. Since becoming a parent, however, I have found my view of God as our Father changing. As I have watched my son develop and grow my love for him has grown exponentially and though there are times that I have to be stern with him or discipline him, I always want only the best for him. So many times I will be in the middle of a routine task with him and suddenly the thought will cross my mind, Doesn’t God do that for us?
My nine and a half month old has started trying to walk and lately pulls himself up any time he gets the chance. He loves to grab ahold of my hands and stand or bounce or attempt to walk across the room. But, every once in a while, he will let go of one and sometimes both hands and stand on his own. Knowing that I am right there and within grabbing distance seems to be all he needs to find the courage to let go and try something new. It doesn’t last long and he soon loses his balance, but that doesn’t stop him from trying again. He knows that I am there to support and catch him if he falls and that instills confidence it him to step out of his comfort zone. In essence, I have become his strength and personal bravery and I would stop at nothing to protect him from danger.
“My personal bravery”. I LOVE that! There is something about that phrase that just inspires courage. And “my invincible army”? With backing like that, why would we choose to stand still? Why wouldn’t we want to step into uncharted territory and go on the adventure of new discovery? I have often considered the words that God spoke to Joshua in Joshua chapter one where He told him “Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given to you, as I promised Moses. (Joshua 1:3 AMP)” Such a careful choice of words. He didn’t say, every where the toe of your foot will tread is yours, because they weren’t supposed to tip toe into the land. He said the sole of their foot, because they were to confidently march in and possess the land. In my own life, I am finding that when I take the risk and do something that God says to do, the rewards are AMAZING, even if the beginning is scary. The choice is mine. Will I stay in my comfy spot and live a comfortable life or will I tap into My Personal Bravery and charge ahead into new territory? I say, let’s take the charge!
Of Shattered Things 