Higher Ground
Higher Ground - Hinds Feet on High Places
By Meredith Layton
May 6, 1:06 a.m. You just woke me with a strong, urgent voice. I clearly heard You say, “Come to higher ground.” Once again, I’m seeing deer in my mind’s eye. Deer have been on the move in the natural realm as well. Yesterday morning, when getting ready for church, my hubby said, “I haven’t seen our deer around here lately.” I clearly heard You say, "I'm taking them to higher ground.” Two other phrases came to mind almost simultaneously. “Hinds feet on high places” and “As the deer pants for the water, so my soul pants for you, Lord.”
2 Samuel 22:34 says, “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and causes me to stand on the heights.” With the rush of reminders about deer, I decided I should look up the symbolism of deer in the Bible. I was led to a Psalm of David where he declares how His God has preserved his life and kept him safe during times of danger (particularly in escaping from his enemies). I also looked up “higher ground”. Higher ground is an advantage place in battle. In combination with deer, it may also signify sensitivity, LOVE, open hearts, gentle strength, unconditional love, and compassion.
You continue to teach me that LOVE is our greatest weapon and unfailing battle strategy in a lost and dying world. Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard is a story of endurance, persistence, and reliance on God. The main character, Much-Afraid, is led on a journey through trials and ultimately to safety and security as she finds true rest as a loved daughter of God. It’s so beautiful when You weave words, thoughts, images, and visions into a message or application to our lives. You are so specific in Your love for us that You craft Your messages to us uniquely and intimately.
Identity has been the focus for me and many others recently. Now, in May, You are urging many to come with You to higher ground. Once our identity, intimacy, and inheritance in You are secured, we are freed in a new way to LOVE others without offense or fear. Though we may have times of tension or struggle arise on our journey, we can be sure that what You have given us cannot be stolen without our permission. Being tethered to You allows me to scale to higher ground and see from a vantage point where I am not only an overcomer but I am able to extend the rope of Your love to others to assist them out of their valleys as well.