Daily Inspiration from Proverbs 14 P.162 – Got Oxen?
Daily Inspiration from These Verses – Got Oxen?
This is a simple little verse, that packs a wallop of meaning. Well, at least it does in my opinion. As it says above, with no oxen, the crib is clean, but were there oxen present, the crib would be a mess.
But, despite the mess, oxen are beasts of burden. This means things are happening. Work is being done, and whatever the mess that they leave behind, is peanuts compared to the work they’ve accomplished. This verse is leading us to believe, that it is better to have an ox, than to be without one.
Now, I know I don’t have any ox to put to work for me. And if I did, I’m not sure what I’d have him do. Because to public transportation regulations, getting it to the office to program parts using computer aided design software would prove difficult. Not a lot of rights if you’re an ox around here.
Alright, I’m being a bit silly, but I think you know what I’m saying. We don’t need an ox or a farm, in order to relate to the verse above. I’d like to set aside the example that is being used, and use another one, that we all might be able to relate to a little easier.
There was a man who was without a job, with a rather large overdue car payment that was scheduled to have action taken upon a couple of months out. Every day, he would pray to the Lord, for a miracle, that the money would come in somehow.
One day, the phone rings, and it happens to be someone from a company, having read his resume online, wanted to grant him an interview. But the man, being a devout Christian, stood by faith, and said,”Thank you sir, but I’m believing God to supply all my needs through his riches and glory.” Then hung up the phone.
Next day comes, the phone rings again. It’s someone from a different company, looking to hire this gentleman. He again stands in faith, and repeats what he told the first person.
Day after day, week after week, he remained steadfast in prayer, and received calls for work constantly, but would not take a job, due to his faith in the Lord, that his miracle is coming. Now, what’s due is a week away, and he’s praying harder than ever, even in tears at times. As the due date creeps closer, the daily phone calls cease.
The date comes and passes, and he remains steadfast in prayer, now for fear of what’s coming his way due to missing the due date. Then one day, he wakes up to the sound of a tow truck, driving out of his yard with his vehicle in tow.
Then after months of prayer, this same man reckoned that it just wasn’t God’s will for him to have kept the car.
What is wrong with the picture that I painted for you above? The crib was empty, and despite every attempt by the Father, to help this guy out, the man never gave it a thought. The reason (and I think we all do this from time to time) would be, because he assumed that the Lord was just going to do things the way the man wanted him to, rather than the way he willed to do it.
It was the Lord’s intervention, causing employers to suddenly look favorably upon his resume online, and to call and try to hire him. That’s how the Lord willed for him to have the money. But because that’s not what the guy wanted, or was expecting, he left himself on the hook, wondering why God didn’t answer all of his prayers.
Nobody wants to clean a dirty stall, right? Some people expect things to be handed to them, without having to get the stall dirty. Sure, God at times, should he will to do so, will do something miraculous to answer prayer.
But never suppose that it is his will to take the easy route for anything. As a former production worker, I can tell you with certainty, that production is a messy thing, and at the end of the day, the place will need a cleaning.
Rarely if ever, does the Lord do something how and when we think he should. Particularly as it relates to gain. Who wouldn’t want the Father to dump cash in their laps miraculously? What a surprise and a blessing that would be, particularly if it’s needed!
But if that’s what you’re waiting for, don’t be disappointed when it doesn’t happen the way you had hoped, and come to find that there are many things that you’ll need to do, to get that increase. It’s not his problem that he doesn’t do things as or when we think he should. It’s our problem, thinking that God Almighty, Creator of all that there ever is or was, needs our advice as to how to do things.
It is we who need to adhere to his ways, not the other way around. Even if you need to keep cleaning the stall, there’s more progress being made than there would be staring into an empty one.
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sake? For our sake, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
So often we ask things of you, and it could be, that we’re in err in how we’re expecting to receive from you. Where there are things we need to do something, give us clear instructions and lead us into the place where you have designed for us to be. Please Father, let us not shy away from, or think differently than, the way you want us to do things. Bless us all to be a blessing Father, and teach us what you would have us do through your Holy Ghost, and through your Word. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Have you ever noticed that more often than not, when you prayed for grain, instead you got oxen?
Thanks Brian…yes, the Lord does provide for us, quite often as you pointed out. The Lord can open doors for a new job, better location than prvious ones, at a higher pay rate etc. All of these examples are the Lord’s way of providing for us to have a better life, if we let Him work. By the way, living in a large rice growing valley, the oxen are used here to prepare the soil for the planting of the rice, which is going on right now (the start of the wet season). The Lord’s peace to you…Amen.
Thanks for your comment and your kind words. It seems to me that you’ve got a great example of Proverbs 14;4 being fulfilled right around your home!God bless you Brother, and stay safe out there! May the Lord bless you everywhere you go in Jesus name!