‘Ole Rock’ the Mule

Rock was one mean mule. He would chase the rest of the stock around the barn yard biting them. He especially liked to bite cows on the top of their rumps because it hurt and they would bellow. He had the best pasture in which to graze but chose the road ditch instead. He would jump over the fence and graze on weeds and grass. My Dad decided to put a stop to that, so he put a leather band around his front ankle and tied a length of chain to it to prevent him from jumping the fence. That didn’t stop him, so the chain was lengthened. Still he jumped the fence. So the chain was lengthened even more and tied to his back ankle. Now he couldn’t rare up and jump the fence. “Rock” learned to rear up, draw his front foot underneath his body and leap over the fence, all to eat the weeds from the road ditch. Nothing seemingly would stop him from jumping. My Dad was becoming more and more concerned about his safety outside the fence because of the road traffic so close to the road ditch. Not only was there danger of automotive traffic but there could be poisonous weeds in the area. There was no place of safety outside the fenced pasture. Had he stayed in the pasture he could have gone to the barn where there was proper nutritious food and safety provided from all dangers outside the fence.

Many of God’s children are like “ole Rock.” They will leave the perfectly safe pasture (the Lord’s church) and graze in Satan’s road ditch of sin. The pleasure is not in the value of sin in which they revel but they merely want to leave the perfect place of refuge. Some will see their error and return while others choose to graze in the road ditch of sin for momentary pleasure where no promise is made for their safety in the future.

We need to bring them back into the place prepared for God’s people where pleasures are found until the returning of the Lord. Are you looking for “Rocks” to bring them back to safety in green pastures?