Joni Eareckson Tada
Psalm 5:8 “Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies — make straight your way before me.”
“Please, Daddy, I don’t need the lead line! I can steer Thunder by myself!” My father refused to listen to his five-year-old daughter on top of her sixteen-hands-high horse, even if it was an old gray mare. And so, Daddy would snap the lead line on Thunder’s bit. Down the trail we ambled, my father ahead on his horse and me tethered to him by a long leather strap. I fumed and folded my arms as Thunder clip-clopped along.
One day Daddy gave in and unclipped the lead line. I could now kick and steer to my heart’s content. I was grown up. Ready for adventure. That is, until we reached a swift running river. When we got to the middle, Thunder put her head down to drink. “Daddy, help!” I screamed. My father came cantering toward me in a spray of water and grabbed Thunder’s reins just before she wandered into the deep part.
I was greatly relieved when he reached into his saddle bag and snapped a lead line on Thunder’s bit. I was back to being tethered, but it was okay. I was safe. Daddy was in front of me and we were bound together. Many years later, I sometimes wish I were still on that lead line. Then again, I am. Faith is the invisible connection between me and my heavenly Father: “Faith is being…certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Take advice from the little kid on the big horse: stay tethered to our Father. Nothing can snatch you out of His hand (John 10:28).
Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine, nor ever murmur nor repine,
Content, whatever lot I see, since ’tis Thine hand that leadeth me!
He leadeth me, He leadeth me, by His own hand He leadeth me:
His faithful foll’wer I would be, for by His hand He leadeth me.
Lead me, Lord, in Your paths of righteousness. Thank You for never letting go of me!