April 6, 2009
Horses
There are times in the ministry where God seems to work through a predominant
theme to help us get to a point of revelation, obedience or place where we need
to be.
One of these points over the last few months has been the subject of horses. It
started with a scripture out of the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah found himself in
for some tough work. His message was competing against that of all the apathy
and the idols that the people could muster and he was beginning to feel
frustrated.
He cried out to God in his frustration and anger.
Jeremiah 12:3b-4 NIV
Drag them off like sheep to be
butchered! Set them apart for the day of slaughter! How long will the land lie
parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it
are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are
saying, "He will not see what happens to us."
I'm pretty certain that all of us have done that to one degree or another. Even
the disciples while walking with Jesus asked Him if they should call down fire
from heaven on a Samaritan village (see Luke 9).
Jesus said no to the disciples. God quickly corrected Jeremiah as well.
Jeremiah 12:3b-5 NIV
"If you have raced with men on foot
and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in
safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?
A quick Darrel paraphrase of God's response - If you can't do it when things are
easy how are you going to manage the tough stuff?
Sometimes we want to run with the horses and we're not even ready to walk in the
pasture.
We have this odd belief that as Christians we can be instantly mature. It
doesn't work that way. When we become believers we are born again. Like babies
that means we have to begin to learn to live and behave as Christians.
We wouldn't expect a newborn to be able to walk or talk. We wouldn't expect a
toddler to know how to drive a car or saddle a horse. So why do we expect new
Christians to act like they are fully mature? It's illogical.
Calling down God's fire on your enemies is a typical frustrated childish
response. Especially when you consider the command of Christ to love your
enemies, pray for them and bless them.
Paul chastised believers for still feeding on milk when they ought to have been
eating meat. We're often no different. Maturing is a process. Sometimes that
process means we meet opposition or go through trials. That's the way we learn
and grow.
Instead of growing angry that we can't win the foot race, let's ask God to teach
us how to mature so that when the opportunity comes to race with the horses
we're ready.
So what is your response today, if you’re feeling frustrated let God have that
part. He is the only one who can change
that part of people who need to be changed. Keep focused on your part and
remember He who is faithful in little will be faithful in much!
So for now get some rest, exchange your yoke for His and get ready. I hear the
sound of horses coming in the distance!
Blessings!
Darrel Mason