(Psa 32:8-9) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. 9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.
When you are walking with someone side by side, it is easy to have a conversation with them. But when one lags behind or surges ahead, then dialog eventually ceases until corrections are made. That’s how it is in our walk with God. We’ve got to keep in step, so we can be instructed in the way of life!
DON’T BE LIKE THE HORSE: The first reference is to the horse. This is the person that runs out in front of God because they are so excited about moving forward in life. As God begins to bring direction to our lives we might have a tendency to dart ahead. I have done this so many times, I am embarrassed to say. God begins to show me things about the future and I’m out the gate before He says so. Perhaps He has shown me “what”, but He hasn’t shown me “when”. I put the petal to the metal and then crash and burn. I’m like the race car driver whose car tears apart in flames and then limps away with smoke rising from his jacket. God’s mercy sustained me but I’m side tracked until I learn to keep in pace with Him. (Pro 22:3) A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished.
DON’T BE LIKE THE MULE: This refers to the stubborn mule who lags behind and has to be pulled along to get going. God begins to speak to our hearts and we either get fearful or just downright resistant. We are like the strong-willed prophet Jonah who went in the opposite direction God wanted him to go. As God dealt with the reluctant prophet by sending a large fish to redirect him, so the Lord will deal with the one who says “no” first before giving in to God’s design. How much better to have a calm spirit and submitted will to the Father who only has good plans for us. (Psa 131:2) Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
What is your tendency? To be like the horse or the mule? Perhaps we sometimes switch it up and go one way or the other, depending on what the circumstance is.
In this psalm, David is describing how horrible he felt when he was out of step with God. He finally confessed his sin and learned the lesson God had for him. Now he is sharing his experience, so others may learn from his mistakes and avoid the consequences of being out of alignment with the Good Shepherd who is trying to tenderly lead His sheep.
Are you having a hard time listening to the Lord? Perhaps you are ahead of Him or behind Him. Let’s keep in step! (Eph 5:15) See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.
Louie