Good morning. It is August 2, 2024. I love training horses. When teaching cues, I start with a very soft tap to notify them of a direction change. If they don’t listen, the tap gets stronger. If they still refuse, the tap increases in strength. And if they still don’t listen or refuse even though they know better… then comes the spur. That’s when they get the idea! Have you experienced the spur of God? It’s not fun. Maybe it’s in the form of a supervisor needing to remind you way too often. It could be a “come-to-Jesus” talk. It could be a reprimand or rebuke. It could be a lateral move or even an eviction. However, I’d rather respond to the tap or a prompt from the Holy Spirit than the spur of God. Read on...
Today's Reading:
2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33; John 4
Scripture
“So the LORD brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.” (2 Chronicles 33:11)
Observation
That's pretty graphic! Imagine getting your nose pierced with a hook and a chain to pull you forward into captivity. God wanted to spare Manasseh the pain of his sin, so He warned him in verse 10. We read: “The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.”
Ever hear God and pay no attention? With Manasseh, God used His spur, which came in the form of a hook and chains. He sent affliction and, finally, the Assyrian captivity, which removed the ten tribes of Israel from the map.
Application
If I hear His warnings, and if I discern His promptings early on, I can avoid unnecessary pain! When the horses that I am training yield with a soft nudge, it’s a beautiful thing to behold. In the refined stages, I look in a certain direction and they go with me. No spur. No pulling. No yanking. We become one! We move together like a dance.
Today, I will take some time to think of the nudges of the Holy Spirit in my life and whether I have heard or ignored Him. I will ensure that I hear Him correctly and respond early so we can move as one!
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank You for the promptings and warnings that You give me. May I be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger! Keep me sensitive to your voice and suggestions, and may I readily comply!
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