Daily Devotional for February 7, 2022

 
Shannon loves horses.  This love affair is something I’ve never really understood.  But, since I am always trying to save my marriage, Shannon has horses.
 
Horses are finicky.  Because of their sensitive gastro-intestinal tracts, they have to eat the finest, most expensive hay.  They also eat grain and oats, which aren’t cheap.  They get into everything.  Between floating teeth, having hooves trimmed, and expensive feed, farrier and vet bills, and the fact that the employees at the feed store start cheering whenever I walk in, it is safe to say that horses are expensive. 
 
But as expensive as horses are, there is the one thing every horse owner fears – Colic.
 
Colic is a blockage in the gastro-intestinal tract.  It is very common and usually treated by medication, but there are cases when surgery is necessary.  Either way, if not immediately addressed, colic kills the horse.
 
Late Saturday afternoon, Shannon and I drove out to check the horses.  That’s when Shannon noticed Hopi was down.  While horses lay down for many reasons, if they don’t get up, that means there’s a problem.  Sure enough, Hopi wouldn’t get up.
 
To make matters worse, I was unable to help Shannon because I have a back issue that makes me walk like Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.  
 
Shannon, and our horse loving neighbor got Hopi up while I texted our vet.
 
When Dr. Matt arrived, he examined Hopi and quickly diagnosed colic.  Then, the real fun started.
 
Dr. Matt gave Hopi a injection to alleviate her pain and then, as Shannon held Hopi’s halter, he began to insert a nasogastric (stomach) tube to alleviate her gas and administer a much-needed medication to allow her to pass the mass that was causing the blockage.
 
Even though Dr. Matt was doing everything he could to save Hopi, she was not happy about having a tube inserted through her nose, down her throat, and into her stomach.
 
Hopi yanked Shannon all over the pen, as Dr. Matt patiently worked the tube into position.  
 
Finally, the tube was inserted, the necessary medication was administered, and the rodeo was over.
 
This got me thinking.
 
Dr. Matt’s job was to save Hopi’s life.  You would have thought she would be appreciative, but she fought him every step of the way.  He never gave up.  Eventually, even though Hopi resisted with every fiber of her being, Dr. Matt was able to help her.  He saved her from herself.  He saved her life.
 
This got me thinking.
 
Hopi and I have a lot in common.  Much like Hopi, I fight the One who is trying to save me.
 
God wants to save each of us from ourselves and the evil of this world.  But much like Hopi, we resist God’s loving guidance and embrace and insist on going our own way.  Even though we fight against God, the One saving us never gives up.
 
God has fought the battle and paid the ultimate price to save you.  Don’t fight, resist, or run away.  Allow yourself to be embraced by the One who will never give up.  This is the One who will bring you home.  All you have to do is trust.
 
This resistance to God is what Paul meant by saying, “I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”  (Romans 7:15)
 
Don’t be Paul and don’t be me.  Do what you are supposed to do.  Let the One who matters save you from yourself.  Give yourself to God and live a life of peace, joy, and purpose.
 
Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, like Paul, I do not understand why I resist you.  Please help me trust and obey.  Save me from myself.  In Jesus’ beautiful name I pray.  Amen.
 
Stop fighting God. It’s the best decision you will ever make.
 
Also, since I am not a very good rider, I much prefer driving my Kubota RTV-1140.  It has never bucked me off or eaten hay.  That’s as good as it gets.
 
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins