Glue Factory

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 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 32:8,9)

We used to board a horse for a girl’s camp. This pony was named “Hurry” which was short for “Hurricane”. The name was ironic since the only time the horse ever got in a hurry was when it was headed back to the barn. Over the years before he came to live with us, Hurry had developed a bad habit of resistance. Normally, Hurry would just drag his feet about going anywhere and would perk up when it was time to go home. But, one time I was riding another horse with a friend riding Hurry. This friend was not very experienced with horses. All of the sudden, Hurry turned and headed back to the corral. When I caught up with them, they were patiently waiting at the gate. Such a horse can be a nuisance and even dangerous.

Life is full of decisions, choices and confusion. But, this verse makes it clear that God WANTS to help us find our way. But, many of us have a problem with mule-ish stubbornness. When I ignore God’s Word, His instruction and His guidance, I lose, at the least, some potential blessings and, at worse, I endanger myself and those who are depending on me. But, if we can come to the point of sacrificing our urgent desires and sincerely want to follow God’s direction, this verse offers a wonderful promise.

It says, “I will guide you”. But, it takes attention on our part because He will guide us with His “eye”. Scripture also says, “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This [is] the way, walk in it.” This verse conveys the idea of a low voice or a whisper. If our life is too noisy and busy, we may miss His gentle guidance. He does not force His way. But, if we actually desire to go in His way and will listen and watch carefully, He will guide us as a well-trained horse can be guided without a bit or bridle. In contrast, a horse that insists on its own way will either end up being guided by pain or getting its way all the way to the glue factory.

Project:
Let’s genuinely repentant of our mule-ish attitudes.
Let’s sincerely and earnestly offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices.
Explicitly take one of your upcoming decisions to God and plead for His guidance.