The Sovereign Lord is my strength
Habakkuk 3:19 is a short verse in a short book, but it speaks volumes about how we as believers must rely on God’s power to strengthen us when we need His help the most.
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“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 NIV
The Lord pointed me in a surprising direction today, with a prophecy from Habakkuk showing up in my not-so-random meanderings through Scripture. This is the first time He has directed me to this book in over three years, which is why I was pleasantly surprised! Habakkuk is one of the 12 minor prophets of the Hebrew Bible, and not much is known about him other than he was active around 612 BC.
Today’s verse is the last in this short book, and it is usually accompanied by instructions to a music director that it is to be sung along with string instruments. It starts with the statement that “The Sovereign Lord is my strength” emphasizing God as his source of strength and power. About this time, earlier prophecies (and those of Habukkuk’s contemporaries Jeremiah, Zephaniah, and Nahum) were foreseeing judgement for Judah, so the prophet was exclaiming his trust in God regardless of what was to come.
Habakkuk follows this statement of trust with the wonderful imagery of a deer. Especially in the rocky and mountainous areas of the ancient Near East (now referred to as the Middle East) deer were known for being agile, sure-footed, and could speedily navigate terrain that would wear out most humans. Metaphorically, Habakkuk was saying that God equips believers to handle any obstructions or tests that are put before them.
The prophet finishes up this last verse by stating that God “enables me to tread on the heights.” Throughout the Bible, high places are often associated with safety from enemies or encounters with God, which suggests that God lifts His believers above trials and tribulations to a triumphant place of peace. Habakkuk’s writing here also seems to reflect a physical and spiritual uplifting to communion with God — think of Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:20), Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), or Jesus, Moses, and Elijah during the Transfiguration (Matthew 17).
Habakkuk 3:19 is a short verse in a short book, but it speaks volumes about how we as believers must rely on God’s power to strengthen us when we need His help the most.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Lord, it seems as if we humans are always living in troubled times. We thank You that through our faith in You, we can climb above our problems and find the strength to withstand any situation. Thank You for equipping us to live through life’s hardships with grace and agility, and with trust in our salvation through Your Son Jesus! AMEN.