Who holds the reins and sits in the saddle?
Do you love horses or at least appreciate the majesty and glory with which God graced them? Horses have played such a vital role in history – in war, transportation, sport, and leisure. I was fascinated to watch old western movies where the Indians (native Americans) rode with no saddle and at times simply directed their horses with no reins, or bit, or bridle. Wow! How did they do that?
In a similar way, those who ride dressage amaze me in their skilled control over the well-trained horse. In the scripture Matthew 5:5, Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth”. The connection to this passage and horses is found in the word “meek”, as this term can apply to a horse who is under the control of the rider. In other words “meek” is a horse-breaking term. The horse who has been “meeked” is one that yields control of its strength and will to the rider.
I believe Jesus is telling us that in light of the way the Father loves us, providing life and breath and everything else we need (Acts 17:25), we can meek ourselves under the hand of God. We can yield control of our will and our strength to God because He can be trusted. He deserves to be trusted. He calls for us to trust and obey. He invites and commands us to love Him, providing the very love He asks us to give back. He cares so deeply for us that He provides comfort for the hurt we feel, as well as, forgiveness for the guilt we experience from the sin in our life. What other “god” can do these things? Answer: None
Finally, God promises that we “will inherit the earth”. We as His followers are joint heirs with Jesus. Jesus will rule and reign over His eternal kingdom. We will reign with Him. We will inherit the earth. So why bother chasing after things we can’t keep in this life but will inherit in the next? What God has in store for us is beyond our imagination. Let’s be prepared to yield here and now to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.