Devotionals

Subdued Strength

by Anne Adams
03/19/24
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Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Phil. 4:5 NIV

When the Plains tribes first acquired horses in the early west occasionally they had to capture a wild horse and then tame the animal. So how did they do that? 

According to Western artist George Catlin’s 1832 account, to capture a wild horse a tribesman with a lasso rode alongside and threw the loop around his neck. Pulling the noose tighter, the rider then jumped off to run alongside as he tightened the loop. This served to cut off the horse’s breathing and as he began to falter the tribesman took the opportunity to fasten restraints on his front legs and use the loop to form a halter. The horse was probably now recovered and was trying to buck, but the man was close enough to touch the horse’s nose, then cover his eyes and breathe into his nose. At that point the horse reportedly becomes calm, the restraints could be removed and horse was ready to be trained. After this brief struggle, the horse had learned to restrain his powerful strength and place his abilities under the control and service of his captor. In short, he had been “gentled.”

Of course today we may use other methods with horses, but when trained - after being subdued - the horse becomes a trustworthy servant. 

This sometimes happens with me and it may occur when God has to subdue – control me - and usually when I wander from him and go my own way. Then what often happens then is that I experience a problem or struggle and must abandon my own plans and become totally dependent on God. And as I do that I find myself with a new attitude as I learn to forego my own urges for independence and to submit to God’s will. In short, like the horse learns to submit to the trainer, I’ve “gentled” myself – for my benefit and his glory.