God Makes our Feet Strong

“The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.” Habakkuk 3:19 NIV

In an interesting story titled “Why I’m Hanging Up My Carbon-Plate Shoes – At Least Until My Feet And Ankles Are Stronger” published by Runner’s World recently, Olympian Paula Radcliffe said on her podcast that the growing pain in her ankle during the race meant she couldn’t put her foot down by the finish line and afterwards ended up in a wheelchair. She was wearing Nike’s Alphafly 4s, the latest technology. ‘I think the super shoes were just too aggressive for my foot,’ she said… Strong feet are essential. That’s what Tony Bignell at Nike, tells Radcliffe on her podcast. “Super shoes stop your feet moving around, your metatarsals, your toes. You’re kind of put in this artificial position. So that’s great because it makes you faster, but that’s bad because eventually it makes you weaker…’ The writer of the story, who developed a rare stress fracture after wearing the super shoes exclusively, said “There’s a lot of research into how fast these shoes can make you and almost none into whether super shoes cause more injuries. Believe me, I’ve looked. In the meantime, I’m hanging up my carbon shoes – at least until my feet and ankles are a lot stronger.”

And you know, when it comes to strong feet and ankles, Habbakuk declared that the sovereign Lord was his strength and made his “feet like the feet of a deer” so that he could “tread on the heights.” No doubt, the prophet used the imagery of deer's feet to describe the sure-footedness God provides, enabling believers to run speedily, jump effortlessly, and stand firmly on high places in a way that no super shoe ever could. Furthermore, the image of a deer, known for its agility and ability to navigate challenging terrain because of the unique design of their hoofs, conveys the idea that God equips believers to stand firm in the face of trials and to easily scale the walls of opposition.  

So, when it comes to your spiritual race, don’t look for a super shoe to make you fast my friend. Look to the Lord to make you strong, agile, and swift instead. Doing so will allow you to travel the road ahead of you and reach the finish line injury free.

Heavenly Father, thank You for making our feet like deer that we might have the confidence to stand steady on shaky ground and to overcome the difficult terrain that comes with being a follower of You. Help us to boldly go wherever it is you’ve called us to go Lord, knowing that You have equipped us for every good work. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!