Surefootedness
Through faith, we can have confidence in God's strength and guidance, allowing us to walk on difficult paths without stumbling.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the strength and surefootedness that God provides to His people, as illustrated in Habakkuk 3:19. He explains that faith in God's promises allows believers to navigate through life's challenges, whether in times of poverty or conflict, without fear of stumbling. The Lord Himself becomes our strength, enabling us to traverse difficult paths with grace and confidence. Spurgeon encourages believers to trust in God's ability to equip them for both the low valleys and high places of life, ultimately leading them to the mount of God. The sermon highlights the importance of faith as the means by which we ascend to spiritual heights.
Text
The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hind's feet, and he will mate me to walk upon mine high places. (Habakkuk 3:19)
This confidence of the man of God is tantamount to a promise, for that which faith is persuaded of is the purpose of God. The prophet had to traverse the deep places of poverty and famine, but he went down hill without slipping, for the Lord gave him standing. By and by he was called to the high places of the hills of conflict; and he was no more afraid to go up than to go down.
See! The Lord lent him strength. Nay, Jehovah Himself was his strength. Think of that: the almighty God Himself becomes our strength!
Note that the Lord also gave him surefootedness. The hinds leap over rock and crag, never missing their footholds. Our Lord will give us grace to follow the most difficult paths of duty without a stumble. He can fit our foot for the crags so that we shall be at home where apart from God we should perish.
One of these days we shall be called to higher places still. Up yonder we shall climb, even to the mount of God, the high places where the shining ones are gathered. Oh, what feet are the feet of faith, by which, following the hind of the morning, we shall ascend into the hill of the Lord!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Lord God as our strength
- A. He gives us the ability to walk on high places
- B. He gives us surefootedness to avoid stumbling
- II. The nature of faith
- A. Faith is persuaded of God's purpose
- B. Faith gives us confidence in God's strength
- III. The Lord's provision for us
- A. He gives us strength to overcome obstacles
- B. He gives us surefootedness to avoid danger
- IV. Our future in Christ
- A. We will be called to higher places
- B. We will ascend to the mount of God
Key Quotes
“The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hind's feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The Lord lent him strength. Nay, Jehovah Himself was his strength.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Oh, what feet are the feet of faith, by which, following the hind of the morning, we shall ascend into the hill of the Lord!” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We can trust in God's strength and guidance to help us overcome obstacles and avoid danger.
- Faith gives us the ability to follow difficult paths and to avoid stumbling.
- We will be called to higher places in the future, and with faith, we will ascend to the mount of God.