We Are God’s Steed
Each of us is the Lord’s steed. The Holy Spirit is eager and delighted to leap upon us as a man would take joy in mounting his beloved horse (1 Sam 16:13, LXX note). As the horse gets used to the promptings of his master, he is able to respond to more subtle commands from the rider (Isa 30:21 with Leupold, Isaiah, p 477). They become as one (Gal 2:20). Yet it is the rider, the Holy Spirit, who gives the orders (Acts 1:2, NASB). We are not to ignore or be slow to respond to His promptings (1 Thess 5:19).
The Lord will continually guide us in our wastelands (Lk 4:1), to our next assignment (Act 19:21), and to a greater experience of the Lord Jesus Christ (Lk 2:25, 27, Williams). He may use us to methodically plow a field so we and others can eat. He may want to ride us for the exhilaration and connection we will both enjoy. He may ride us into battle as His war horse. However, He cannot enjoy and use us if we refuse to let Him mount us or if we are unresponsive to Him directing us (Ps 51:12, LXX).
A horse without reigns or rider is free to go wherever it wishes. We must all choose between self-directed or Spirit-directed living (Gal 5:17, 24-25). Salvation is about being part of His Kingdom – being ruled by Him. He habitually reigns in our lives and we respond to His orders. These promptings don’t deprive us. They enable us to experience the joy of being saved and established by His directing Spirit. We give up a wild lifestyle for one filled with His purpose. Our lives become meaningful in the best possible way as we let Him ride us. Our bond with Him deepens and we are filled with joy. We become the best version of ourselves.
When God wants a couple or family to alter course, the revelation is normally clear.