Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by the bit and the bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him. Psalm 32:9-10 NIV
You have probably heard the expression “stubborn as a mule”. My family had horses from the time I was born until I sold my last horse when I was in my late twenties. I never had a Shetland pony. My dad had gotten one for my sisters and it was horribly stubborn. So I think he just refused to buy another one. We had a neighbor that would bring his over and let me ride it when I was five and six years old, but I never had a pony of my own. I only had small horses and then graduated to bigger ones. Shetland ponies, like mules, have a reputation for having a mind of their own and not being easily controlled. My sister told me about the pony that dad had gotten them. She said that she rode it a mile from home and it just stopped and refused to turn around and come back home. She had to get off and pull it back home. Now if you have any experience with horses, you know that after a ride, most of them are eager to return home and some will run you right into the barn if they are not gentle and easily controlled. This could be bad if you get knocked off by a rafter.
This scripture passage begins with telling us not to be stubborn like a horse or a mule that has no understanding. Some horses are very gentle and easily controlled. They learn control through training. They learn that just the slightest touch of the left rein means they need to turn left, same with the right. They can be stopped with a simple, “whoa” or by barely pulling back on both reins. They will go with just a little touch to their flanks. They are not stubborn.
Growing up, my parents tried to gently nudge me to do the right thing. When I was stubborn, I got a more forceful touch. It took me many years to realize that my parents wanted what was best for me. In all honesty, had I listened to them on everything I would have made a lot less mistakes in my life. But there were times when I tended to be stubborn.
Now when it comes to God, I promise you, Father knows best. Our Heavenly Father knows the plans he has for us, he has good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11). The only thing that can thwart those good plans is our own stubbornness. When we refuse to do what God calls us to do, we open the door for the devil. Now when he comes in, it’s like a nasty home invasion. The devil comes in and takes over. When the devil takes over, we find ourselves doing things that we never thought we would do. It’s like drug addiction. I have known really good people that got addicted to drugs. Before long I heard that they were doing things that I would never have imagined they would do. Well even if you are not addicted to drugs, the devil makes sin look like a great idea and before you know it you are wallowing in it.
This is where the “many are the woes of the wicked” from today’s scripture passage comes to play. Wicked people are miserable people, they are plagued with many problems. Sadly, their misery is mostly self inflicted. They refuse to let go and let God take over, so they continue to make a mess of their lives.
“But the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds those who trust in Him”. This is so true. We have had an unseasonably cold winter here in Louisiana. It makes me very grateful for the warmth of my gas fireplace. The other morning the temps dipped to 13 and I was also very grateful for the warm robe that I was wrapped up in. God’s love is like that. It’s snuggly and warm and it protects us from wicked, evil people.
My prayer for you today is that even if you are surrounded by cold, wicked people that you are wrapped in the blanket of God’s unfailing love. If you are not, then all you have to do is turn to Him. Don’t be stubborn, don’t be afraid to give in. God is waiting with open arms for you to come to Him and trust in Him. He wants to wrap you in His love.
Have a great weekend!