Horses and Legs

The urge to strive and try harder can be unrelenting. We live in a performance-oriented culture and in the business world it is especially that way.  When the result is good, we might be tempted to take great pride in our cleverness, experience, hard work, etc. When the result is not what we (or someone else) expects it to be, we look for more resources and try harder.  While I think it is biblical to be diligent about whatever one puts his hand to (Colossians 3:23  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters), God is most definitely not pleased with our self-sufficiency (either accumulated resources or our own personal assets)

Psalm 147:10-11

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,

    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;

11 

the Lord delights in those who fear him,

    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Things to think about:

• Are you wrestling with a goal or objective that is not being attained in the way you or someone else would hope?
• Is your tendency to double down or to give up?
• Have you recently had a big “win” ?
• did you reflect the glory back to God or bask in it yourself?
• we all know the right answer but in your heart of hearts, how did you react?
• In the Old World, armies won wars on the backs of strong horses
• What are some things in our more modern world that might be classified as “the strength of the horse”
• Another vital asset in winning a struggle was the physical strength of the warrior
• What are some of your qualities that might be “the legs of the warrior”?
• We can probably agree that neither the horse or the mighty warrior are bad in their own regard so why is God not take pleased or delighted in them?
• We can even move beyond pursuits like work or other achievements to any challenge that requires resources
• if we or a loved one fall ill, we want to go to the best doctor at the best hospital to get the best care.  Nothing wrong with that but can that turn into putting our faith in horses and men?
• We looked a few weeks ago at Hebrews 13:5-6
• “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  So we say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
• the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
• Ultimately it comes down to who we are looking to for our security. If we look to ourselves and our stuff, God is not pleased.
• When we Trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and lean not on our understanding, He will make our paths straight.
• What challenge are you going through that it’s time to turn over to Him?