Crusader’s Devotional
Hey howdy, hope ya all had a great week and received blessings that brought great joy and softened your heart. Some may know firsthand and maybe others from out of state have heard about it in the news. We here in Colorado have gotten enough rain in the last eight days to drown a duck. The mud in the horse stalls will pull the boot right off your foot. On the other hand, on the good side it is now a perfect time to trim the horse’s hooves. Yet the old saying “one man’s rain is another man’s tears” holds true. The rain has caused enough damage in some parts to keep a carpenter as busy as a one-armed paper hanger. Thoughts and prayers go out to those who have suffered troubles due to the rain.
One early evening during a downpour, I watched as some of our horses stood dry in their stalls with just their heads outside the doorway watching the event. Other horses would stand outside as if it was a beautiful spring morning, apparently not bothered by the heavy rain and getting as wet as a preacher at a baptism. Others went well into their stalls and did what came natural to them and just went to eating with little interest in the event that they had no control over. Simple choices - stand in the rain, watch those standing in the rain, or do what comes natural and eat. And yet there is another kind of horse. The herd horse - not a leader but willing to do what the “higher ranking” horse stalled next to him does. If the higher ranking horse stands outside in the rain so will he. If the horse of higher rank goes inside the stall so will the herd horse. Now I must tell ya about Moe. Moe is a blind horse. It’s rather amazing because Moe knows what goes on around him but the heavy rain seems to disorient him. Moe depends on the mare next to him for guidance and sense of security. Moe would stand in the rain if the mare did, thinking that’s where he should be.
Being a simple man that reads the words of God, it got me thinking of sin. Think of the rain as sin for just a moment. Some stand in it as if they enjoy it or know no better, it’s maybe all they have ever known. Others stand out of the “rain” nice and dry but do nothing but judge those out in the “rain.” Yet others get out of the fall of the “rain” and do what is natural to them, what God intended them to do, seek shelter. Then there are the ones who know of the “blind” and guide them out of the fall of “rain” and into shelter of the lord. Of these, which are you? One that thrives on sin standing in the rain, thinking there will be sunny days to come {church} so a little sin wouldn’t hurt, because “I’ve been saved.” May be you might be the one who stands dry in his stall and watches the “rain” fall on others and thinks it’s a shame but does nothing to guide the “blind” to shelter. “It’s ok, I’m just going to sit here in my pew where it is safe and hope that every one else is dry from the “rain.” Or you are one of courage who guides those in the “rain” to the shelter of God’s grace, salvation and love. Are you a herd horse or a horse of rank? Ya know God made you to be a “horse of rank.” It is written “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; DO NOT BE AFRAID, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9)
“Satan, the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the good news that is shining on them…” (2 Cor 4:4). Lead the “blind” to shelter and if they will not move out of fear, stand beside them in a symbol of love and hope. Most of all, do not be afraid. Ask yourself this; what would Jesus do?
The true Christian is prepared for spiritual warfare, may the blessing of the Lord’s hand never leave you.
I pray this in the name of our savior Jesus Christ of the Nazarene.
PastorTy@CrusadersEquestrian.org
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