Lessons From a Show Horse

Psalm 9:10 (New International Version)

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Bill was a show horse. He was a gaited horse, a beautiful racker. He had five different gaits, or manners in which he lifted his feet, that made him a smooth rider. The rack was his best: a fast, flashy, four-beat gait in which his feet touched the ground separately and at equal intervals. He was a beautiful horse, the best, and loved to show off his strut once he arrived at the shows.

But Bill had one flaw: he was spooked out by the loading ramp of the truck. Unknown to his owner, his previous trainer had beaten Bill, and the loading ramp was one of his hang-ups from abuse. He would not trust or obey his owner to walk up the ramp. Instead, he would be so frightened that he would shake, tremble, and quiver until the ramp was removed. Then, taking a giant leap, he would jump into the truck. How much easier loading would have been if only he could have trusted!

How many times do we, like Bill, forget that God is in our corner, if only we will turn to Him and trust Him! We find ourselves losing sleep, worrying, fretting, and suffering unfounded anxiety, all because we have not turned to God with our issues. Some who have not yet learned that God is trustworthy may feel that that is a giant leap! But God is trustworthy! His Word guarantees it.

As the song Trust and Obey tells us:

For the favour He shows,

For the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

What He says we will do,

Where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

-John H. Sammis

How much easier our problems are to bear when we are in partnership with God. The peace of mind that trusting brings is so comforting.

Dear Lord we pray that when things seem difficult that we would remember to give our problems to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.