by Cathy Vinson

We are offered the dignity of choosing. He grants us as humans the honor of choosing a free, willing relationship without force or coercion. If we turn aside, however, from such a wonderful opportunity to walk with God as friends, we are left to be treated as less than human, like the horse or mule that must be FORCED to come, who must have rules and restraints to go through life. Are you being pulled by a bridle between clenched teeth because you resist coming willingly?

Why do we hold back? Scripture tells us shame and guilt in our consciences repel us from the open offer (Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:38). How do we draw near against these strong resistances within us?

Psalm 32 describes David as he passes in and out of each day with a transgression sapping his strength "as in the heat of summer." "Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,'--and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Then let everyone...pray to You while You may be found" (Psalms 32:5-6a).

Because David CAME forward to confess, he was clothed with protection and surrounded with songs of deliverance and the Lord's unfailing love (Psalms 32:7,19).

Again in Hebrews 4:14-5:2 we see the Lord's answer toward our drawing back because of weakness and proness to sin. In Jesus and the splendid path He walked and overcame, weakness has become a password to being granted mercy and grace. "Ignorance and going astray" ironically allow us the position to "approach the throne of grace with confidence" (Hebrews 4:16).

Just come. Don't shrink back. Don't be humbled to the status of a horse and mule. For it isn't the sinLESS that is called blessed, but the "one whose transgressions ARE FORGIVEN, whose sins ARE COVERED" (Psalms 32:1). As with David, it is the one who comes!

"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)