Feet Like Hinds’ Feet

 

The Promise of Stability on Spiritual Cliff

Have you ever felt like you were standing on the edge of something, unsure of what would happen next? Like you were on a spiritual cliff, with nothing but a shaky path ahead? It’s that moment when you feel like you could fall, when the weight of the world presses down on your shoulders, and you wonder if you’ll have the strength to keep standing. Maybe it’s the weight of responsibility, the burden of caring for others, or simply the toll life takes on your body and soul. It’s when you feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to step next. But in those moments, there’s something remarkable that God offers us—a promise of stability.

We find this promise in Psalm 18:33, where David declares, "He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me upon my high places." The Hebrew word for "hinds' feet" is ʾiyyālāh, which refers to the feet of a deer or gazelle—creatures renowned for their agility, sure-footedness, and ability to navigate even the most treacherous terrain. When you think of a gazelle, you picture a creature that can leap across craggy cliffs, skip over rocks with incredible speed, and remain perfectly poised, even on the edge of a precipice. That’s what God promises to give us: the ability to stand firm in the most difficult places.

Now, imagine for a moment being on a narrow, rocky path that winds up a steep cliff. The terrain is rough, the wind is howling, and the rocks beneath your feet are slippery. Without the right kind of footing, it would be easy to slip and fall. But God doesn’t just tell us to take a step in faith; He equips us with the kind of stability and agility that makes even the most difficult climbs possible. He gives us feet like hinds’ feet, enabling us to move through those cliffs with grace, surety, and confidence, even when the path ahead seems impossible.

In the natural world, hinds are creatures designed for rugged terrain. Their feet are uniquely made to handle obstacles that would send most creatures tumbling. Their movements are swift and sure, and they seem to defy the very idea of falling. God promises us this kind of surety—not just a little bit of grace to get by, but the power and strength to stand firm in the hardest places, to ascend heights we couldn’t even imagine reaching on our own. This isn’t just about survival; it’s about thriving in God’s strength, stepping forward with purpose, even in the face of adversity.

But there’s more to it than that. God doesn’t simply make us capable of standing firm; He also sets us upon high places. The phrase “sets me upon my high places” is not about us merely finding stability on the cliffs; it’s about God elevating us to a place where we can see things from a higher perspective. In those high places, we’re not just surviving the climb—we’re seeing from God’s viewpoint. We can look out at the landscape below and see His faithfulness stretching across the terrain, not just the immediate obstacles. It’s a vantage point where we realize that what seemed like a treacherous climb is actually part of the higher purpose God has for us.

Isaiah 55:9 says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” When we are placed on these high places, God opens our eyes to see not just the immediate challenge but the larger picture—the eternal view of His sovereignty and purpose. These high places are more than just physical locations; they are spiritual vantage points where we can understand that God is orchestrating everything for our good, even when it feels like the world is shaking beneath our feet. Psalm 121:1-2 says, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” When you find yourself on these high places, the help that comes is God’s perspective on the cliffs below.

When we think of the cliffs in our lives, they often represent the hardest, most challenging moments—the seasons of grief, fear, confusion, or even doubt. These are the times when it feels like we are standing at the edge of a precipice, unsure of how to move forward. Loss, illness, uncertainty, or the overwhelming burden of responsibilities all feel like cliffs that stretch higher than we can climb. But it is in these very moments, when the ground beneath us seems shaky, that God steps in with His promise of stability.

2 Samuel 22:34 mirrors Psalm 18:33, where David declares, “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and causes me to stand on the heights.” This isn’t just about standing still on those heights; it’s about being able to move forward with confidence. The word for “stand” here in Hebrew is ʿāmād, which means to remain in place or to endure. But in the same breath, it’s also about standing firm while still being able to move with purpose. The feet of the hind are designed not just for standing but for leaping and climbing, rising above obstacles. Psalm 18:33 doesn’t simply describe a stagnant position—it’s a dynamic strength that propels us upward.

Think of Habakkuk 3:19, where the prophet declares, “The Lord God is my strength; He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and He makes me walk on my high places.” Here, Habakkuk isn’t speaking from a place of comfort. He’s in the midst of a shaking world—his nation is in turmoil, and everything is unstable. Yet, he declares his trust in God, knowing that God’s power will equip him not just to endure but to thrive. The Hebrew word for “strength” here is ʿoz, meaning might or vigor—a strength that goes beyond human capability. It’s a supernatural strength, provided by the One who created the hills and the valleys. Habakkuk’s trust wasn’t in the absence of difficulty but in the presence of God’s power to carry him through it.

And even in our own journey, there’s something incredibly important about this promise: stability doesn’t mean we’re removed from the difficult terrain. God doesn’t remove the cliffs, but He equips us to climb them. He doesn’t promise that life will be free of struggles, but He promises to be with us in every single one. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” The hills may still be steep, the winds may still howl, but the God who promises to make our feet sure is the same God who promises never to leave us.

Psalm 34:19 assures us, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." Notice the word delivers—it’s not just a passing moment of relief; it’s a comprehensive, continual support from God. When we’re in the midst of the steepest climb, we can trust that God is delivering us, step by step, giving us the strength to remain upright and to move forward.

And this promise doesn’t expire. Isaiah 40:31 says, "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles." The word qāwâ for "wait" speaks to a hopeful, expectant trust in God’s timing. The waiting isn’t a passive resignation; it’s an active, expectant endurance. Just like the hind doesn’t just sit on the mountain, waiting for the summit to come to her, we don’t sit idly by in our struggles. We actively trust, expectant of God’s strength to renew us.

When you face your own cliffs, whether in seasons of doubt, loss, or struggle, remember this: God has promised to make your feet like hinds' feet. He will equip you to stand firm, even on the steepest of spiritual cliffs, and to move forward with purpose, joy, and confidence in His strength. He will place you on high places where you can see His faithfulness, and He will never leave you, even when the ground beneath you seems uncertain.

This is not a promise to just survive the cliffs; it’s a promise to thrive in them. Step by step, as you rely on His strength, you will find yourself climbing higher, seeing from a new perspective, and experiencing His power in ways you never thought possible. God has designed your feet for these cliffs. He will not leave you there to fall. He will make you sure-footed and steadfast in His grace, leading you not just to stand firm but to thrive as you walk through every challenge life throws your way.

 

 

image by deepdream.ai at my direction