What’s He Looking At?

It was the second week of horse training.  Quietly the trainer explained, “Today we will teach him that where you look, he must move.”  I had never heard of such a thing and watched with interested amusement.  Within five minutes, amusement turned to awe.  By then the diminutive trainer had helped the horse understand what she wanted.  As she leaned to the right and stared at the horses’ hindquarters, the 1200 pound beast began to pivot in a circle, moving only his hind end.  “You see.  As soon as he understood what I was asking, he did it,” she casually explained.

My mind immediately thought of two scriptures—and my frequent failure to perform as smoothly as the horse.   “…I will guide thee with mine eye.” And “Don’t be like the horse that needs a bit.”  Phew, humbling!  Here was a horse that did what I ought to do—and without a bit!  This was not a dead-broke, old horse either.  He is a young horse—exactly what my daughter sought when she bought him:  a stubborn (but pretty) horse.  How could it be that such an animal could so quickly respond to a look?  I was puzzled.  I love the Lord and seek Him in His Word daily.  Yet, I, like many, often wish he would send a direct message instead of waiting for me to figure things out!

Turning to my “E-sword,” I quickly found the verse.  Much to my surprise, both verses were actually right together!

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.  (Psalms 32:8-9)

The horse trainer had inadvertently brought the verses into living color.  Her calm, patient instruction helped the horse understand exactly what she wanted…just like the Father promises to do for us!  It was a Technicolor lesson I will not soon forget—and couldn’t resist sharing.

The verses preceding this amazing blessing gave me further insight.  God cannot guide us with His eye until we draw near to Him.  Honest confession that brings us into the shelter of the Father puts us in close enough proximity to feel His gaze.  There is no harshness or condemnation in the Father’s eyes.  He looks at us with love and moves us toward the good works He has created for us to do.  We do not need to strive or stress; He continually points us where we are to go.  It is so sweet to follow the Father’s gaze.  It will center us in His will, sweetening our fellowship with Him and others.

Where’s He looking at you today?  Move with His gaze!