Psalms 18:32-33 - Blessings Of Deer Footing
Step 1: Pray. Select.
Yesterday, I encountered a few situations that caught me off guard and confused me. I woke up with a heavy heart, wanting to protect myself and shield the day armed with more wisdom and discernment as I encountered similar situations ahead.
Thankfully, instead of worrying about figuring this out on my own strength, the LORD gives us his word to quench our fiery trials.
As I focused on tapping into the Holy Spirit'sSpirit's voice this morning, he led me to Psalms 18:32-33.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
Psalms 18:32-33 - It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.
After reading the scripture three times, the following words pulled at my heart:
God
Arms
He Makes My Feet Like A Deer
Step 3: Re-Write
Adding my name to the front and with a focus on the words that stood out, here is the sentence(s) I came up with for today:
Jennifer, God arms and makes my feet a deer.
Step 4: Visualize
As I meditated on the words in the sentence, I felt relief in knowing the Holy Spirit, as he always does, is providing a way out of any situation I encounter since I will be returning to a place where fiery darts of the enemy are the norm.
It is amazing how, no matter how I prepare or pray, I am still caught off guard when things fly at me, causing me to feel out of sorts and confused.
This is why God gives us his word. To put it into action!
Today, as I enter another potential battle zone, God is giving me the tools to rise above. And if I fail, I will learn the next lesson and try again. For if the LORD is with me, then who can be against me?
In fact, he is telling me that no matter how much I know today, these trials and tribulations sometimes exist to pull me closer to him, so I don't let go of the one who can pull me above and out of my situation. My rock and my refuge who anchors me to safety.
The enemy roams the Earth, seeking to devour our joy, hope, and faith. So, instead of facing our adversary and fighting in a state of confusion, we should quickly be reminded of the deer.
A deer can scale a wall with almost no angle but is straight up, defying logic, yet knowing instinctually that he is equipped with the God-given balance and grace to head straight up to the top and seek refuge in high places. It doesn't waste time reasoning when it is in danger or facing a predator; it was made to climb above the situation. The deer is not running away but running to safety, only to come down to its territory once the threat is gone.
I need to make sure I don't let the enemy confuse me or bait me into thinking I am weak in a situation, causing me to react when I KNOW I am strong in the LORD. I need to practice my God-given ability to scale the problem in front of me and make sure I let God continue to go before me so there is always a mountain big enough to climb that will provide refuge for me to run to until the moment or day the LORD gives me the wisdom to strategically move forward, and take my next step.
His instruction will always move me closer instead of feeling exposed and abandoned in any situation.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The main question(s) that came to mind were:
Holy Spirit, when I am in the middle of a battle, how do I know what I should walk away from and what I should stay and fight?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
"You are still learning. Have grace on yourself in the process. Occasionally, even the deer stumble but can quickly regain their footing and escape from anything hunting them. Pay attention to your spirit first. I dwell within you. How do you feel when you engage in a conversation with friends or people who love you and are filled with the light and love of Jesus? Filled Up. When you start to engage with someone who taunts or provokes a foreign nature in you, antagonizing, baiting, condemning, remind yourself of your Father's nature. He corrects with love, teaches with instruction, and gives instead of takes. This is how you know who you are dealing with. He is for you, not against you. If you find yourself circling a mountain in conversation, look up and climb like a deer. Do not allow yourself to get dizzy from circling too long, which will cause you to fall prey to the enemy of confusion when God has already made way for you in the midst of a storm. Leave yesterday's woes behind and go forward on the path, remembering the lesson of the deer and your ability at a moment's notice to look up and climb."
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Today, I will be on watch as I encounter all situations to check in and see if they are light-filled or causing confusion. I know there will be traps along the way, but I will burn the image of the deer and how it can scale walls that seem humanly impossible and defy gravity.
LORD, if anything disrupts the peace of your atmosphere today, I trust you have provided a place of refuge for me at the top of the mountain. I will stand on the promise of Psalms 18:2 - The LORD is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the salvation, my stronghold.
I will ask for two witnessed to pray that I make the LORD my stronghold so my foot does not stumble today.
If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.
Don't forget to Spread hope and share HERE if you have a miracle or testimony. We want to see how God is working in your life!
Conclusion:
I am always amazed at the lessons in nature, such as this lesson on the footing of a deer. The LORD is the mountain, and we just have to have faith that he will always provide a path to safety in every situation.
I wish peace over everyone today! May the LORD be our stronghold.
