February 10, 2024

Running With Horses, Artist: (Lois) Alison Teed

Colored pencil on 140#, Arches, hot press watercolor paper. Painted from the original photo taken by the artist while attending the Lethbridge, AB chuckwagon races

Many times, throughout the years God stepped in to my space and spoke to me from His Word.

“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan (war)?” Jeremiah 12:5 NKJV

He had my attention….

Upon reflecting on what would prompt God to speak such a word to me, I understood that it happened on two occasions when He gave me a specific assignment.

First—fear of failure: When I realized His assignment was not going to be a proverbial “cake-walk”, I soon complained to Him that it was all to difficult for me and I was going to make a mess that He would have to clean up. Rather than comfort me and reassure me that I was doing just fine and if I did my best He would do the rest, He would speak Jer 12:5 to me, and other words similar.

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Proverbs 25:10 NKJV

This last word was as stinging as Jer 12:5 and then He would punctuate His rebuke by adding:

 ….‘What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house….’

Second—fear of man: The fear of man: Over and over and over He would instruct me not to be afraid of what man could do to me. “Do not fear their faces.” “Do not be afraid of the intimidation of a man.” “If God is on your side, what can man do to you?” “Do not be afraid that the assignment is too great to too difficult and the giants are too overwhelming.” “Do not be afraid that you will fail.” “Do not be afraid.” Amen

I learned over the next 45 plus years to just obey. Just believe Him that He had my back and keep moving forward in my assignment. I would do my part and allow the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to do theirs. They have never failed this ordinary vessel, filled only with faith in what He has assigned me…until I am finished and wondrously stand in His glorious presence! Amen!

When you call upon the Name of God’s one and only Son, Jesus Christ, you have nothing more to fear. Let Him be your confidence. He will always make a way for you, even where there is no way. He will not falter; He will not fail. He will sustain you. Learn to run with the horses first…it is just the beginning of an awesome, indescribable journey. Amen.