I was wrestling with a decision a few months ago. Looking back (ahem), I can’t remember the conflict. But at the time, it felt important and I was nauseated from teetering between two choices. At some point, I made a decision with this reasoning: Well, if it’s not the right choice, at least I’ll learn something and gain a little hindsight.”
Before I could finish that thought, I heard the Lord whisper “Hinds’ feet are better than hindsight.” Needless to say, I didn’t follow through with my choice.
As much as I love hindsight and learning from mistakes, I believe this whisper was about the benefits of pressing in a little more with the Lord and listening for his word, and then following him accordingly.
The idea of deer’s feet appears two times in Bible. It’s interesting to note that in both uses the circumstances are not, well, let’s say ideal. It’s also interesting that it is God’s salvation and strength that are emphasized each time. He is recognized as the giver of feet like deer’s, and they are a dispensation of his strength for our success.
David draws the metaphor in his Song of Deliverance (2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18). He was in the middle of a battle. “Death encompassed me, torments of destruction assailed me.” Gruesome. But he goes on to write about the way God delivered him.
He gave me feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war…
Habakkuk’s usage of deer’s feet is a declaration in the middle of desolation (Habakkuk 3). There was no fruit on the vine, no life in the barns, there was no sign of God’s promises being fulfilled anytime soon. How did Habakkuk respond?
Yet will I rejoice 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.
Where David’s song is a post-victory response, Habakkuk sang praise as a choice, perhaps, even as a herald of the coming victory. Both songs are great and both are needed.
(*Habakkuk makes it personal, “my high places.” Perhaps, to emphasize what has already been given to him to possess.)
I don’t know your circumstances or what you may be facing. Maybe you are in a battle like David and need a strategy for victory, or an all-out rescue. Maybe your situation is similar to the one in Habakkuk, where everything you see is void of life. My current status feels suspended, but maybe your’s feels like a whirlwind. Regardless of where we are, I know this to be true. We’ve been given feet for the mountain, hinds’ feet for the day at hand. And our Everlasting God, Beloved, and King beckons us to, “Come up here.”
I can’t tell you how to ascend the hill. That’s between you and the Lord. Honestly, it’s a joy to search it out. I can say to you with a whole heart, go ahead and start praising. Forerun the victory song. Ask God how to use the feet he’s given you. And, then, listen and obey—because hinds’ feet are better than hindsight.
I believe you will be singing your own song of deliverance before long.
I recently sat at the piano to sing through some of these and other verses about deer. Here are a few thoughts that came out. I hope they encourage you as they did me.
Come up here. There’s no reason to fear. I gave you feet for the mountain
I know you’re longing. I know you’re thirsty. I gave you feet for the mountain
I gave you feet like the deer for a reason, So you can roam the mountain, So you can find the water
The hungry find the mountain. The thirsty find the water. I gave you feet like the deer for a reason
I knew you’d come running. I knew you’d come when I called. I gave you feet for the mountain
_____________
Brave Sparrow exists to create resources that encourage and equip hungry disciples, surrendered leaders, and lovesick worshipers so that Jesus will be known and the kingdom of heaven will be evident on the earth for many generations.
Brave Sparrow 