Deer and Hind's Feet
Joy and Anders Björk
 
  Psalm 18:18-20;32-33 "They attacked me at a moment when I was weakest, but the Lord upheld me. He led me to a place of safety: he rescued me because He delights in me. The Lord rewarded me for doing right; He compensated me because of my innocence. God arms me with strength, He has made my way safe. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along the mountain heights." What is it about a "hind's feet" that is compared to a Christian's life? First, a hind is a female deer, and a hart is the male, or buck. A female deer can place her hind (back) feet exactly where her front feet stepped, not one inch off! She is able to run with abandonment! In times of danger and protecting her young, she is able to run securely, and not get "off track".

This Psalm was about David being delivered from his enemies. David was very physically coordinated, one of the greatest warriors in his time, according to Hebrew scholars. But he broke his "momentum" in God when he didn't fulfill his call by staying home instead of being with his army. He fell into adultery with Bathsheba as a result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

God sent his prophet to get him "back on track", so he could be "surefooted" once again. David repented. God restored his "tracking system"!

What do we do when we are persecuted for the Word's sake? Whenever words of criticism or attack come to us, we can take them to the Holy Spirit, and ask Him to show us if there is any truth in them. He is the ONLY Judge, because He alone knows the intent and motives of our hearts. When He gives us the answer, we will know how to respond correctly, and in the fruit of the Spirit. The first command is to pray for those who come against us, and bless them. If the Lord shows that we have sinned, and there is some truth to the words, we can repent, and ask forgiveness of those we have hurt. If it is an attack from the enemy, with no truth in it, we are commanded in II Timothy 2:23-26

"Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. The Lord's servants must not quarrel, but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people. They should gently teach those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change their hearts, and they will believe the truth. Then they will come to their senses, and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. "


Jesus also said,

"God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted too." Matt. 4:11-12 (see also James 1:2-4)


We can lose our momentum too, because of disobedience or an attack from the enemy. When it happens, it will be just us and God. We will have to decide if we want to go on. Deep down inside us are the still rivers of Living Water, that we can draw from.

We need to learn to pray from our river, in our belly, not just from our lips. I Corin. 14:13-15

" So anyone who has the gift of speaking in tongues (in public) should pray also for the gift of interpretation in order to tell people plainly what has been said. For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don't understand what I am saying. Well, then, what shall I do? I will do both. I will pray in the spirit, and I will pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and will sing with words I understand."
This was a great revelation given to Paul.

No matter what the upset that gets us off track or off focus from our calling, God still wants to give us "hind's feet" and set us in our high place again, our place of ministry. Proverbs 4:25-26 also tells us

"Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet: then stick to the path and stay safe. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil."


Thru all things, whether of our own mistakes, or mistakes of others, God is faithful to "keep us on track", so we can continue to run our race with abandonment, just as the hind on the mountain cliffs. God bless you!

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