The Way You Shall Go

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go: I will guide you with my eye. Do not be as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest those things come near unto you. Psalm 32:8-9

It’s not enough to simply be told the directions to your destination. We also need to know how to conduct ourselves on the journey. Since the Lord will “teach us in the way” then we need to be sure to continue to walk in the way, and not wander here and there, all willy-nilly like the horse or the mule. The horse always wants to be given his head to run wild and free, exhilarating in the beauty of his own strength, and fears nothing in the day of battle. While the wild ass snuffs up the wind, going here and there to check things out. The grass always seems greener as long as he can smell something different before he can see it. If you are like them, God has to lead you with a bit and bridle in your mouth to overcome your natural self-interest, through chastening. He prefers for you to hear his voice and use your mouth to declare you understand the teaching and instruction, which is the first step to always making the next step, and keeping these other things from coming near you. Remember, “the word of faith is nigh you, even in your mouth”!