Job 39

Several years ago, I was praying, and I felt like God was telling me to ‘follow the horse.’ Taking this literally, we have kept multiple horses, sometimes up to ten, primarily those from the racetrack. We aim to transform them into trail horses. This experience became a metaphor for my faith journey. As I worked with these horses, I realized that, like them, I was also being guided off the beaten path to find a new purpose in my spiritual life. It taught me patience, trust, and perseverance, qualities essential in my walk with God.

Then, when my oldest son was in a horrible car wreck and was airlifted to Indy, our church family poured out their support for us. The church leaders took care of my youngest child that night, installed a wheelchair ramp before my oldest was released, and overwhelmed us with true generosity. This outstanding support brought to life what God meant by guiding us to a ‘herd.’ It was a vivid reflection of God’s provision through our community. I realized just as horses need their herd, we too need companions in our faith journey who will be there in times of need. I thought, ‘This is what God was talking about.’

We, like the horse, need companions, a herd. We’ve found our herd, our group that we belong to; a group of Christ followers that sees a need and takes action. A community that’s alert, attentive, and tries to help others. I encourage you to think about your own herd and how you can strengthen it this week. Perhaps you can reach out to someone who may need support or invite a friend to join you in a prayer group. A simple step is texting one person to pray with or for you. By taking action, you can turn inspiration into engagement and build a deeper connection within your community.

In today’s reading, God asks Job if he knows anything about God’s creation. He lists different types of animals and their characteristics. In verses 19-25, God describes the horse. I realize there’s a lot more about horses that I didn’t remotely consider. In 19 and 20, we learn about the horse’s strength and its ability to jump over obstacles. This makes me think: how strong am I? Do I see obstacles and jump over them, or do I put on the brakes and give up? In reading 21 and 22, God says the horse charges out to battle, laughs at fear, and is unafraid; it does not run from the sword. How do I face my fears? I should be able to laugh at my fear. David the giant slayer put it this way:

‘The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? ‘
Psalms 27:1

I think of running from the sword, which could mean not running from danger. But I also feel like I need to run towards the “sword of the Spirit,” which is the word of God—immersing myself in God’s Word and applying it to my life. I do this by praying, studying, and meditating on God’s Word every morning. I’m far from perfect; I’m just making progress toward the perfection of Christ.

Going to church and Bible study with my herd also helps. We need to commit to and seek God every day. I have to devote my mornings, but I don’t think it matters what time; it just matters that I have a dedicated daily time. Maybe it’s picking up the verse of the day on the Bible app, and meditating on it throughout the day. Find something that works for you and make it a habit.

In reading verse 23, the arrows rattle against it, but the horse doesn’t flinch. Am I holding up my shield of faith that stops the fiery arrows of the devil?

In 24, the horse paws the ground fiercely and rushes in when it hears the call for battle. I believe a Spiritual War is going on. And battles are being waged by evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world. Am I being a warrior, charging into battle, dying to myself, standing firm? Or am I watching the battle from the sidelines? Or am I distracted, oblivious to the enemy and tactics?

Reading verse 25, the horse senses the battle in the distance. Am I alert, keeping watch, am I ready for battle? I’m so thankful for my herd and God’s Holy Word. How can I encourage, strengthen, participate, and be a better member of the herd today? If you haven’t found a herd, I would encourage you to pray and find yours. Consider joining our church community or joining a local Bible study group. Many of us have found that doing this has helped deepen our relationships and strengthen our faith. Whether through church, small groups, or volunteering, there are many opportunities to get involved and find a supportive community within our community.