Articles
The Lord Is My Strength
“The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places” (Habakkuk 3:19 NASB). Habakkuk questioned the actions of the LORD. “How long, O LORD, will I call for help?” Myriads of people, even believers, throughout the ages, have expressed similar doubts about what was happening in the world. When injustices, violence, and oppression prevail, when the innocent suffer, we ask: Can something be done? Of course, in time, God acted. He was doing something, even if men ignored divine will. The Ruler of the universe rules in the kingdoms of men. Habakkuk did get the point. We need to get the point, too.
“A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth. Lord, I have heard the report about You, and I was afraid. Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known. In anger remember mercy” (3:1-2). The meaning of Shigionoth is unclear. It is possible that the prophet’s words were sung in chorus to God; even though Habakkuk is praying, he is also worshiping in song (cf. Psalm 7:1 for same notation). Now, Habakkuk recognizes God’s power and His control of the affairs of men. God’s divine wrath (anger) is meted out against rebellion and disregard for His will. Sin will not be ignored; but God is willing for any who will to repent and be forgiven. “Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in faithfulness and truth” (Exodus 34:6).
“God comes from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, and the earth is full of His praise” (3:3). Teman and Paran are areas located south of the Dead Sea in Edomite territory. The LORD came to Israel’s assistance when His people passed through this area on their way to the Promised Land. “The Lord came from Sinai and dawned on them from Seir; He shone from Mount Paran, and He came from the midst of myriads of holy ones; at His right hand there was flashing lightning for them” (Deuteronomy 33:2). The word theophany is used to describe a manifestation or appearing of the Lord; this “coming” is accompanied by elements of nature. Now, Habakkuk speaks of pestilence, plagues, mountains, hills, and tents; God’s power “startled the nation.”
After seeing God’s answer to the doubts and questions and concern about his world, Habakkuk expresses deep joy and worship and faith in God. “Yet I will triumph in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like deer’s feet, and has me walk on my high places” (3:18-19). As nations rise and fall, we can have faith in what is doing; He is in control. And we can have faith in what God is doing in our own lives. Do we want assurance when we doubt? Who can wipe away our fears, whether real or imagined? Who can lift the weak? The LORD is our strength. Do we believe it? “The righteous shall live by his faith.” Randy Harshbarger
