The horse is made ready for the day
of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
PROVERBS 21:31
Lexington, Kentucky, is renowned for producing the finest thoroughbred race horses in the world. More than 140 horse farms are located within the city limits and on the outskirts of the city. But it’s not just the beautiful acreage that draws serious breeders to buy farms or horses in that area. The Kentucky Bluegrass area has something that cannot be found in such abundance anywhere else on earth—a particular type of limestone that lies just the right distance under the surface of the ground, continuously releasing vital minerals into the soil.
Plants grown in this soil, such as the grass the horses eat, are rich in the precise combination of minerals needed to build extremely strong but very light bones—ideal for racing. Thus, a colt eating Kentucky bluegrass spends his first two years eating exactly what will help him win the race of his life!
Along the same line, consider the habits of the Alaskan bull moose. The older males of the species battle for dominance during the fall breeding season, literally going head-to-head with their giant racks of antlers. Often the antlers, their only weapons, are broken. When this happens, the moose with the broken antlers will assuredly be defeated.
The heftiest moose with the largest and strongest antlers almost always triumphs. Therefore, the battle fought in the fall is really won in the summer when they do nothing but eat. The one that consumes the best diet for growing antlers and gaining weight will be the heavyweight in the fall. Those that eat inadequately have weaker antlers and less bulk.
There is a spiritual lesson here for all of us. Battles await us, and we must be prepared. Enduring faith, strength, and wisdom for trials can be developed before they are needed by spending time with God.
Choose today to steep yourself in God’s Word and to spend time with Him in prayer. If troubles arise later, you will be attuned to your Father’s voice and be able to get His battle plan—which is always the winning one!