God’s Goodness

Day 13 – The Horse

I discovered that it is the nature of the horse to flee from danger. They only stay to fight if it involves their offspring or if there is no where for them to flee. They put up a good fight, too! But is there something about this magnificent creature that we can apply to our spiritual life? All of God’s creation has something to teach us.

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

What do we do when sin comes knocking – do we do as the horse and run? Or do we stay and and toy with it? When we do have to fight, do we have the ammunition with which to fight – the Sword of God? Or are we weak in the Word and have nothing to encourage our heart in that time of need?

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Ti 2:15)

The horse is ever vigilant of what goes on around him. The horse watches and stays alert. His seeing and hearing senses are much better than the human. The horse’s eye is second to the ostrich of all land animals in its size. The horse’s eyes can see 350 degrees! Their ears rotate so they can catch sounds from every direction. Oh that we Christians should be so keen in spotting sin and listening for false doctrine!

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Pe 5:8 )

The riding horse is known for its speed, agility, alertness and endurance. Isn’t this a beautiful comparison to how a believer ought to run the Christian race? We must be quick and agile to spot danger and speedily run away from sin. We should also use this same speed to go out into all the world to win souls.

…Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. (Luk 14:21b)

We should be alert, ever watching and vigilant so we are not caught unawares by ole slew foot.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Pe 2:1)

Endurance to finish our race here on earth is another fine quality we can learn from the horse. We must not be easily discouraged.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Heb 12:1)

Paul encourages us to run the race with patience – have endurance – don’t give up – we must keep on keeping on for the Lord.

Horses are also very social animals and have “friends” amongst their own species as well as with other animals and humans. It would be difficult for a horse to make a “friend” with a dog unless the dog reciprocated, right? The two animals are in agreement in their “friendship.” Although the horse loves the dog, he does not become “like” the dog nor does not adopt the mannerisms of the dog. We Christians need the equally yoked fellowship we get from our church family. We should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers where we learn their ways. An unbeliever will never fully understand our Christianity – never! Remember that. They are serving their father the devil and cannot understand. What you believe is foolishness to them.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Co 6:14)
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Co 2:14)

I love the way a horse communicates to other horses and to us humans. It is beautiful to watch a horse’s body language when it sees its master. When I went to visit my brother in Oregon, he introduced me to his three horses. One of his favorites came right up to him and pushed up against him so he would rub its face and head. Whenever my brother stopped rubbing, his horse would push up against him again. This magnificent, huge animal was desiring to be touched by his master. This powerful and beautiful animal showed its need to touch and be touched. Do we react toward our Master, Jesus Christ, in the same manner? Do we desire to be touched by His Word and to touch others with His Word?

And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. (Mat 14:36)

We have only to read the Word with the same eagerness my brother’s horse had to be touched and we, too, can be made perfectly whole spiritually. Yes, I know we are already saved. But how many times have you gone to the Word desperately in need and God has met you there and met that need? Even when your prayer was not answered, God gave you the calm sweet assurance that He is in charge. Oh my, the Hand of God reaches down and touches us when we make that first move to touch His garment through His Word!

I’m sure there are many other characteristics about the horse that I could look at and correlate with the Christian’s life and God’s Word. Thank You, Lord, for this blessing today!

Dear God…
Your creation always bless me so
The simplicity of life each day
I see Your perfect hand in all
Teaching me along the way