“Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle.”
Psalm 32:9
My sister, Kathy, owned a quarter horse named Casey Reds — only she could ride him. Reds was a beautiful sorrel gelding, but he had been abused as a colt. He was shy and skittish. When Kathy rode Reds, she sometimes put racing blinders on him. Although just a horse, you could detect sadness in his eyes. He had lost his spirit.
“Do not be like the horse… which has no understanding,” today’s verse says. A lot of people are like Casey Reds. They’ve suffered great sadness in their lives. The heart of God breaks when He sees us put blinders on, like horses with spirits broken. He never intended that we should live lives of solemn resignation. Maybe horses can resign themselves to a life of sadness, but not humans. We are not animals. Our souls are too significant. Humans bear the image of God. Unlike animals, “God did not give us a spirit of timidity” (2 Timothy 1:7). He wants His followers to understand something important about life eternal, grace overflowing, healing assured, contentment given, peace promised, hope everlasting, and joy that can surely brighten any countenance.
Are you feeling timid and fearful? Shy and skittish? Take off the blinders. Proverbs 2:2-5 says, “[Turn] your ear to wisdom and [apply] your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” The word understand is repeated three times here. “Cry aloud for understanding” and ask God to show you His wisdom regarding your situation. Jesus the Redeemer assures, “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted.”
Lord God, I want to be able to follow You without “bit and bridle.” Help me to do that.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends
