A whip for a horse, a bridle for a donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. Proverbs 26:3, TLV
Are You Bridle-less? I watched in awe as my friend, Mindy lifted her arms and rode her horse around the corral. No bridle or reins. As someone who has a healthy dose of equinophobia — a fear of horses — I was impressed. She later explained that this is only possible when the human and horse trust one another. They know each other so well they can communicate by even the slightest of movements.
Trust.
Whenever I read today’s proverb, I think of Mindy. And it reminded me that God sometimes has to “bridle” — or yank and lead — us to do the right thing. To change our direction. I have felt the tug more times than I’d like to acknowledge.
What does it take for us to do the right thing? Is it the threat of punishment? Or does it take someone standing over us watching our every move? Do we miss the cues to handle life’s problems? When our “bridle” is removed, do we just do what we want?
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—it is a declaration of ADONAI [the LORD]—
“I will put My Torah within them.
Yes, I will write it on their heart.
I will be their God
and they will be My people.
No longer will each teach his neighbor
or each his brother, saying: ‘Know ADONAI,’
for they will all know Me,
from the least of them to the greatest.”
it is a declaration of ADONAI.
“For I will forgive their iniquity,
their sin I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:32-33, TLV
Are We Bridled?
Our willingness to be obedient is dependent upon where our Heavenly Father’s word is in our lives. Are we like the prophecy in Jeremiah?
Is His word merely on the pages of our Bible. Or is His word written on our hearts?
Do we trust Him enough to follow His lead? Or must He bridle us into every act of obedience?
Repenting of our sins and accepting the blood atonement of 
Jesus means our Father has forgiven our iniquity. Are we ready to remove the bridle? Do we trust Him enough? Can He trust us?
Because there are great benefits to that kind of trust. A bond forms that is precious and intimate. And isn’t that a good thing?
Think More About It
Are we still wearing the bridle? Perhaps we need to be bridled in certain areas of our life. How do we discern where?
Thanks for stopping by. I always love your comments and insights. And always appreciate the shares.
