Devotionals

Don't Be A Horse

by Dale Buchanan 
09/04/26
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#27 in “Blessing for Senior Saints”

“Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding:” (Psalm 32:9 KJV). The context is feeling guilt for sin, refusing to confess, and then, finally, confessing the sin and receiving forgiveness.

I grew up on a small 6 ½ acre farm in North Wisconsin. At the age of 10, I became responsible for taking care of the cows, hogs, chickens, rabbits, and dogs.

In my high school senior year, we decided to board a horse for a family.  I was excited to have this beautiful, blond palomino mare under my care. Her name was “Blondie.” 

Blondie and I got along fine until it was time for a ride. She knew I was a novice and had some special tricks “up her sleeve” for me.  She waited until we rode at a gallop, when I would relax the reins. She sensed it immediately, clamped the bit in her teeth, and went where she wanted to go.  One time we were running on a low-traffic gravel road.  She clenched the bit and headed home. There was an intersection ahead. Blondie had no intention to “Stop, Look, and Listen.” All I could do was hold tight and pray that no cars were coming. There were none. At full speed, we reached home. Then she stopped so abruptly that I almost flew over her head.

Did you know that a lot of us older folks can be like that horse?  We get some idea in our heads, and no amount of reasoning or persuasion will change our minds.  Automatically, we are right, and they are wrong.  Did it ever occur to me or you that we might be wrong?

Don’t be like the horse which has no understanding.