Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. – Psalm 32:9

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 17, 2016): Psalm 32

North Korea recently published a scientific accounting with regard to the development of their weapons program, apparently complete with how-to’s and full-color pictures. The normally super-secret North Korean’s have apparently decided that if they are going to look super scary to the rest of the world, then the rest of the world has to really believe that they really have the capacity to do it harm. It was obvious that we weren’t really believing them when they said that they had nuclear weapons capable of reaching North America, so they decided to publish their own personal tell-all book proving that they were right.  

Ah, but there is a problem with their theory. The little, isolated nation would like to pattern their current conflict as a David and Goliath story with North Korea starring as David and the United States appearing in the role of Goliath. But the actual situation is much worse. North Korea once had few friend and the reality is that the few are swiftly disappearing. The more dangerous the world really believes that North Korea is, the greater the chance that someone will decide to do something bout them. That something may come in many forms, but it is not likely that that someone will be Goliath (the United States). It is much more likely to be someone a lot closer to home. North Korea steadfastly refuses to attempt to understand this brave, new world in which we live. They want to live in an antiquated, outdated world where the biggest missiles always win. But even the United States, the one who has the biggest missiles, will be quick to point out that that just isn’t true. The new world is an ideological pit filled with terror attacks that are carried out by low tech instead of high-tech means. And we are quickly learning that low tech is the Achilles heel of high-tech weapons systems.

The truth is that a progressive and engaged North Korea could be an asset to the world community. But they have refused to come to that understanding, and their culture and economy continue to pay the price for that lack of understanding. Their refusal to join with the rest of the world could eventually be their own downfall.

This is the image that David wants to give to us. A horse and a mule are useful, but they don’t come to the task with understanding. First, they must be broken and then controlled. David understands that often we can exhibit the same characteristics as the horse and the mule. We are wild and must be broken to be of any use. But it doesn’t have to be that way. It is possible for us to come to an understanding of what is happening and find our own role which we can fulfill – to function as part of the larger community.

And when it comes to God, we can welcome his input and guidance into our lives rather than running away from it. Of course, the analogy breaks down with God. He will not force us into his plan. He will allow us to run wild if that is what we really want. But that path comes complete with its own pain and pitfalls that could have been avoided – if we would have only submitted in understanding to the one who loves us in the first place.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 33