Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Don't Horse Around
Today's Verse:
Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. ~Psalm 32:9
When I was younger, I would hang out with other single Christian guys for fellowship, fun, and spiritual activity. When it came to having fun, sometimes the guys would just get crazy and we would laugh until our sides began to hurt. When this went on for longer than it should, one of us would eventually tell the ringleaders to “stop horsing around.” This was a way of saying, “stop being foolish”; “this is getting out-of-hand, please stop”; “stop now before you get out of control.” In Psalm 32, we see David’s restoration to sweet fellowship with God. He sinned terribly, and through confrontation and strong chastening, he confessed his sins and experienced the richness of God’s mercies and forgiveness. In v. 9 God told him, “Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule.” God was telling David, “Don’t horse around!”
We see the consideration of the horse.
Horses have always been a symbol of strength. A country’s military strength was measured by the number of horses they had. Horses could be compared to the Bradley tanks of today. Horses were used in farming and agriculture for hauling heavy amounts of harvested crops, equipment, rocks, and trees. Horses were a major means of transportation. You can travel vast distances with a horse, and having a horse was a much preferred method of travel instead of walking. Anyone who owned a horse had a strong sense of security. You were considered better off with a horse than without one.
We see the counsel regarding the horse.
First, God says that we should not be as a horse in our understanding. Horses in the open are wild, untamed animals. They have to be broken and brought into submission. A horse will avoid being caught or brought into submission. They are dangerous to approach unless they are held with a bit and bridle. God is telling us that we must be careful of being unrestrained in our thinking and desires. Every thought must be brought captive to the obedience of Christ. We must learn to be in submission to God and His authority. David fell into sin because he did not recognize the need to bridle his desires. Second, God says we are not to put our confidence in the strength of a horse. “An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength” (Psalm 33:17). Having a horse gave its owners a false sense of security. Horse ownership gave owners a delusional idea that they were untouchable. We must realize that faith in God does not rely on external means of strength to sustain us. We must cling to God exclusively and trust in Him alone for all our needs. “He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man” (Psalm 147:10). God is not impressed with our strength as much as He is with our weakness and dependence upon Him.
We see the comparison to the horse.
God said, “Be ye not as the horse.” It is far more profitable for us to be in submission to God’s holiness and authority than to be under the power of sin, selfish desires, or addictive behavior. Don’t be a Christian whom God has “to break” in order for you to obey and follow Him. Don’t be a Christian who is easily angered or gets out of control when things don’t go the way you think it should. Don’t be someone who is stubborn and has to be pulled into the right direction.
Are you horsing around? Are you “running wild” when you should be under the Spirit’s control? Be ye not as the horse, or the mule, which have no understanding.
Have a submissive God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Timothy 4-6
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