~Big Horned Sheep
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~Big Horned Sheep |
The
loosened rocks cascaded down the steep embankment as the big-horned sheep,
his head high and proud, strolled 
nonchalantly along the steep slope. We pulled our car onto the shoulder
of the road and got out of the car to look more
closely at the fascinating sight. With each step the sheep took, more of
the soft soil and loose stones gave way and fell to the
roadway far below, but his foothold was steady and firm.
Some sights strike a chord deep inside that can almost bring a tear. It may not be
until after a period of reflection that we understand why. That was the
case in my observation of the big- horned sheep.
One of my favorite Scripture verses says: "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. When I first became aware of this
verse, I used to wonder what it meant. No more. Life
has taught me its meaning. The preceding verses actually give us its definition.
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, and
there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail,
and the fields produce no food, though the flock should
be cut off from the fold, and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will
exult in the Lord. I will rejoice in the God of my salvation."
Verses 17-18.
The hind, or in this case the big-horned sheep, is capable of quite easily treading upon those precarious precipices,
so much so that he does not even hesitate to walk along these high places.
When my own "fig trees" and "fields"
lack produce, or in contemporary language, when things are going really
rough for me and I am experiencing pain or am in need in an area of
my life, God has promised to enable me not only to stand, but to walk securely
without slipping or falling in my own
"high" (difficult) places.
There is only One who can fulfill that promise. He does not promise to deliver us from the difficulties,
but He promises to help us through them. In learning these lessons there
are sometimes temporary slips, but they only come when
we take our eyes off Him and rely on human strength rather than on Him.
We can at once place our hand in His mighty grip
and be at peace once again.
His strong hand is reaching out to help you. Take it. Place your hand and your life in His keeping
today.
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