“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.” (Ps 32:8-9 AV)
Psalm 32 is one of his psalms dealing directly with his anguish over his sin. His confession, his forsaking, and his desire for mercy are found in the first seven verses. The next few verses are the LORD’s response to his request. The word ‘lest’ is confusing here. The word can be used to mean two opposite things. The word can mean ‘so that they won’t come near unto thee’. Or it could mean just the opposite. So they will come near unto thee. The latter seems to be the use here. The instruction from the LORD is simple. If David is truly sorry for his sin and desires forgiveness and reconciliation, then he must allow the LORD to teach and guide him so that he does not fall again. The encouragement from God is for David to be led about by the Spirit in an easy fashion rather than a horse or mule who must be led about by bit and bridle. The injunction is clear. We should be easily led about by the Spirit of God rather than as stubborn animals that need to be broken.
We’ve had many dogs through the years. Most of them rescue dogs. Two of them we had from pups. Rescue dogs are almost always a good idea. No matter the dog, a smart and experienced dog owner can help that dog overcome his or her issues from months or years of neglect or abuse. We were able to rehabilitate several dogs over the years, but one, in particular, was not so easy. He was a chocolate springer spaniel mix. This dog was out of control. I could not keep him near our small children because he was very wild and uncontrollable. Unfortunately, we had to resort to a shock collar. When using one, the smallest setting will usually do the trick. Then once the dog is trained, using the vibration setting will work. Once he or she is trained with the vibration setting, the owner can switch to the tone setting. After successfully training with a tone, then the collar can be removed for simple voice commands alone. This is the goal. When starting with the electrical shock setting, one should always start with the lowest and work up until the amount of shock gets the dog’s attention. With this spaniel, it meant almost full charge. This dog was so headstrong, it was the only way to snap him out of his nature. He was so intense and stubborn, we finally had to give him away to someone who used him as a junkyard dog.
We can learn the easy way or the had way. It all depends on how leadable we are. The dog I have know is extremely leadable. Toby is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He is so people-oriented, he doesn’t want to displease me at all. He never crosses me. He can sense when something he is about to do is not approved. He stays right at my side when walking. If it wasn’t for our city’s leash law, I wouldn’t have to use it. No bit a bridle for him. Why? Because he wants to please me. The LORD is using an example from nature. If we are to learn to live our lives for the pleasure of God, we have to be gentle and accommodating toward the LORD. We have to be tuned in to what He wants and be willing to do whatever He wishes. God warns us not to be stubborn like a wild animal who has to be brought into subjection by, oftentimes, harsh methods. If we truly are distraught over our sin, then we should cast aside the bit and bridle. We should be by our LORD’s side always listening and complying with the command of His voice.
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