By Marilyn Ehle
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Psalm 32:8-9
Many years ago we built a home out in the country. Finally we had space not only for our growing family, but for the pets they had begged for. First there was a dog, then a cat, and then—in a moment of weakness—we bought a horse. Alamo was big and white and loved to master all adults who climbed on his back, showing his quarter horse speed and independence.
But Alamo was surprisingly gentle around children. One time I looked out the kitchen window and saw that our two-year-old had entered the fenced-in pasture and was calmly sitting on the ground directly under the belly of this huge animal. My heart began to beat, but not wishing to startle either horse or child, I walked out to the pasture and quietly called Rickie’s name. He and Alamo looked up at the same time, the child began to walk toward me and the horse simply went on calmly chewing the fresh spring grass.
This incident was the exception to Alamo’s usual self-centered independence. When being ridden by an adult, the bit and bridle had to be held with firm control or the rider could easily find himself off the saddle and on the ground while horse galloped swiftly to the barn ignoring cries of halt, stop or whoa.
David uses picturesque language to describe what people are like who refuse to be “reined in” by the loving instruction and counsel of God. Our loving Father wants us to be ready to come to Him when He calls. It is when we insist on our own way, in our own time, that we find ourselves going off God’s chosen track. Eugene Peterson paraphrases it so plainly: Don’t be ornery like a horse or mule that needs bit and bridle to stay on track.
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https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/04/29/me_bridled-christians/