Psalm 32:9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.

This verse struck me a long time ago, but I think I’m only now coming to understand it more. David is speaking of a run-of-the-mill horse, not one you’ve raised and trained personally. A horse that is properly raised can sometimes be ridden with hardly any equipment at all, though it is rare to have one that doesn’t need reins. Such a horse will delight to come to its master, and sometimes will come even when not called. However, the thing that came to me just now as I read it was the matter of what things in our lives are analogous to the bit and bridle mentioned here. God doesn’t put such easily identifiable things on us, but he uses various things to “rein us in,” to keep us from going off on the wrong path. Many of those things we tend to blame on the devil, when he doesn’t deserve the credit! God sometimes has to bring us up short to force us to look to Him. Frankly, that’s not much fun. The thing to remember is that God is never mean to us, so whenever something happens we need to ask Him why He allowed it. I started to say, “something we don’t like,” but we need to ask Him why He does nice things to and for us as well! The fastest way to get out of unpleasant circumstances and into pleasant ones is to hear and obey what God is saying to us through them.

This is much closer to home than I like to admit. I get upset at things just like anyone else, and it’s not much fun. I need to be more careful to listen to what God wants me to do and what He wants me not to do. I’m not supposed to be paralyzed by indecision, but I am to submit everything to God and allow Him to change my plans however He likes. I am not to hold back from anything He is saying to do, but I also am not to rebel when He is saying not to do something, or even to rest. Right now the pace of what is going on seems to be very fast, with packed schedules. That’s not necessarily bad, but I’d better be listening carefully so that God doesn’t have to do something drastic to get my attention. Sometimes “mule” might be a very appropriate description of me! As a pastor, this issue can get tricky. I’m to speak the truth of God in love, but I’m not to condemn others, much less “play God” with their lives. I am not to say, “That’s God’s bit in your mouth to control you,” but I am to encourage them to seek God for His purpose in allowing whatever it is.

Father, thank You for this Word this morning. I ask for Your words to share it, that I may not come across as holier-than-thou or condemnatory in any way. May we all grow ever more responsive to You, so that Your perfect plans may be manifested in our lives, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!