It is a blessing to gather in the presence of God today, for whenever His word is spoken, He is speaking directly to each of us. My prayer is that we receive from God—not from humans—so that His truth penetrates our hearts and finds application in our daily lives.
Rising to the High Places
We are not a people designated to stay in the valley; we must stand high. God equips us with spiritual strength and stability, much like a deer climbing steep heights.
The Strength of the Hind: In 2nd Samuel 22:34, the Word says He makes my feet like "hinds' feet". A hind is specifically a female deer, uniquely equipped for these heights.
The Lord as Our Strength: As written in Habakkuk 3:18-19, the Lord God is our strength, making our feet like hind's feet so we can walk on our high places.
Spiritual Ambition: We should never be satisfied with where we are currently; we must have an ambition to climb to a higher spiritual level.
Defining the Heights: These "high places" represent spiritual maturity, holiness, and a deeper intimacy with God.
Glorifying the Body: While we focus on the spirit, we also honor God by keeping our bodies healthy through exercise and good food, as we are called to glorify Him with our bodies.
The Conditions for the Ascent
God’s promise to make our feet like hinds' feet is not something to be taken for granted; there is always a condition to reaching the level where He wants us to be.
Purity of Heart and Hand: According to Psalms 24:3-4, those who ascend the hill of the Lord must have clean hands and a pure heart, not lifting their souls to falsehood.
Preparation of the Mind: We must prepare our hearts and our thinking to be holy so we can get to the higher place God has for us.
Reliance on Grace: Even when we feel weak—physically, mentally, or financially—2nd Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that His grace is sufficient for us.
Overcoming Limitations: We all have limitations that hinder us, but God gives us His grace to overcome them and move to the highest places.
Total Trust: To keep our path straight, Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding.
Prepared for the World
God does not only want us to stay on the high places; He prepares our feet to carry the gospel of peace back down into the valley and out into the world.
The Beauty of the Messenger: Isaiah 52:7 highlights how lovely the feet are of those who bring good news, announce peace, and bring hope and happiness.
Protective Preparation: Ephesians 6:15 tells us to have our feet "shod" with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Spiritual Armor: To be "shod" implies wearing special protective shoes—like steel-toed boots—that keep our feet safe from obstacles while we proclaim the Word.
The Boat in the Water: We are designed to live in this world, just as a boat is designed for water. However, we must ensure the world does not get inside us, or we will sink.
Floating Above: Even if we aren't "handy" people by nature, we must understand that God has placed us here to float and stay on top of the world's influences.
The Power of Fellowship
We do not climb these mountains alone; this is why we have fellowship and the support of one another.
Active Encouragement: We must use every method—calls or texts—to check on one another, offering a word of encouragement to those who may be struggling.
Shared Growth: We should not be satisfied with where we are as individuals, families, or a church; we must climb to experience God's presence more deeply.
God is Sufficient: Even when we feel alone or downcast, we must remember that God is sufficient to supply all our needs and strengthen our feet to overcome any obstacle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, let us walk firm in faith, knowing that our work is holy and directed by God. When we face the obstacles of daily life, we do so with the strength of the hind, refusing to be disappointed because our God is sufficient for every need. As we trust in Him, pray, and maintain our fellowship, we will surely get to that high place He has prepared for us. Amen.