DAUGHTERS OF THE KING DAILY DEVOTIONALS: THE BLESSING OF OBEDIENCE OF GOD

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 (NIV)

Imagine what our lives would be like if we had to live them as if we were horses. We want to go one direction, but someone yanks the reins, pulling at the bit in our mouths. We are forced to go one way or the other, but against our will, and not knowing why. The direction we a forced to go might be for our own good, to keep us safe, but we go that way unwillingly.

WOULDN'T IT BE BETTER TO BE FREE?

If you have professed faith in Jesus, you ARE free.  And because Jesus, our King, loves us so much, He has taken the time to “instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8) through His holy Word. He promises to counsel us, and when we are obedient to Him, we can know His counsel daily through prayer and Bible study.

We shouldn’t be incorrigible like the mule and horse without understanding. Who would want to be “controlled” when, through understanding, we can be willingly obedient?

Lots of things in life attempt to control us. Circumstances, work, friends, addictions, and so much more. But when we take God’s instructions to heart, when we accept His loving counsel, we can break free from the controllers of this world.

In Psalm 32:8-9, these words are not the psalmist, David, speaking to us. They are God speaking to us, a special promise of God. God will always show us what to do if we ask him. We must not be like animals, like the horse and the mule. We must be people to whom God communicates-we must be people willing to listen, understand, and act in obedience to His will.

Prayer: Dear Father, so much in my life is controlled by outside influences. Help me to cast off the bit and bridle of the world and exchange it for willing obedience to You. Instruct me. Teach me. Counsel me. Help me to understand and put Your will into action in my life. Thank you for keeping Your loving eye upon me. Amen.