Devotion 2

Submission:

Devotion 2:

Do you give the horse his strength or

clothe his neck with flowing mane? Do you make him leap like a locust,

striking terror with his proud snorting? He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength

and charges into the fray.

Job 39: 19-21

The horse is a huge and magnificent creature. He is usually around 1000 lbs and can outrun predators in the wild. This horse is not a weak or dependent creature but a force to be reckoned with as God's description of them in Job shows. The mare heading a herd in the wild is a brave creature, running her world to protect the herd that looks to her for leadership.

Even in the pasture or the barn, horses will defy you and each other to exert their own will. The dominant horse will make sure he or she is given proper respect and obedience. Abbie was the least assertive horse in the turn out until Poncho came, but she is even magnificent and quite breathtaking in her strength and beauty. She is a wild thing, who came to us unwilling to be even touched or caught. Since she has gained her weight and been brought to better health, she is a beautiful Clydesdale cross, over 1500 lbs, with a massive neck and head. Dark in coloring, she has a wide white bald face. Each little gain in her trust has been a huge accomplishment. I am hoping with either good weather or construction of an indoor ring, we can break her to ride next spring. But this will take her willing submission.

When Abbie gives me her co-operation and trust to let me guide her will and direction, we will be true partners. Each able to do more together than we could alone. But she needs to submit her will to mine. It doesn't make her weaker, it and I would never purposely injure, or harm her. She is able then to be used as God intended her to be used. He created the livestock separately in Genesis from the wild animals. They are mentioned differently, made to be in communion with people.

We do the same thing with God, dance around Him, avoiding his calling to us. Think it would make us have to be or do what we do not want to do. Whatever is good or beautiful about us will serve God and ourselves best in submission to his will. It doesn't make us weaker, or dependent, it makes us fulfilled and productive, a partner in a magnificent relationship that allows the glory of our creator to shine through. The horse in the above verse was not diminished by harnessing his will to that of his master. People were awed by the sight of such a partnership. God doesn't intend to harm or deprive us. He is the good master who will bless the faithful service and choice of sharing and partnering in his will. His will is safe and good, choose it today.