Key scripture – “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.” (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

The ESV translation of the Bible says, “he makes me ‘tread’ on high places.” Tread is defined as “stepping and walking”.

Other English translations of the Bible use these verbs: the NAS states, “make” and “walk”; while the NIV uses, “enable” and “go”.

But in Hebrew, there is only one verb, which is to “walk” to cause a person to go. So in this case, the phrase might mean: “He leads me to these high places; He makes me go there even though I don’t want to.”
Or, it might mean (as the NIV interprets it): “He enables me to walk on places I could not go without his help.”

I think both ideas are present here. Habakkuk is not talking about a pleasant afternoon of rock climbing or just meandering along a path. He dreads what God has in store for him, he knows the path is very challenging, very dangerous. In that sense, God is leading him to a place he does not want to go. Yet God is his strength, and God will protect him, and Habakkuk is confident that God will enable him to do what he could never do on his own and that is why Habbakuk is joyful and praising God! God led him to this very spot, and even though there is pain and difficulty here, he knows that God is there with Him and will rescue him from the danger. He also knows that God will fight for him and all that Habakkuk needs to do is lean on and rely on God and His strength.

So why should you rejoice like Habbukak?

Because God is good! He is with You! He is wise! He is in control! He will never forsake you or leave you! And He knows what He is doing!

Whatever your high places might be, know that God has guided you there – even if you are partially responsible for your situation. God is guiding you, He will enable you to endure, He will enable you to rejoice. Trust Him. Delight in Him. Throw yourself upon Him. And love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
(James 1:12).

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I will rejoice over the trials in my life. I know that each and every trial that comes into my life increases my faith. I will “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4). I know that You are always with me and You will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish me. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10). You are my strength, my courage, and my invincible army. You are The Lord God Almighty. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Laura Ingle