Prophetic Vision: "The Harness of the Lord"

There are two great choices every Christian must make. The first is a choice to be free; the second is a choice to surrender that freedom.

I am eager to share a very powerful vision with you today, one that isn’t mine, but comes from a father in the faith during the "Latter Rain" movement who has now gone home to Jesus. Before I do, let me retell a story.

Some of you might remember the 1998 movie entitled “The Horse Whisperer.” In it, a very young Scarlett Johansson (think: Avengers star and now the world’s highest-paid actress) plays the role of Grace, a horse-loving 12-year-old. A traumatic winter accident injures Grace and her horse, and kills her childhood girlfriend. After this, Grace and “Pilgrim” (her horse) seem broken beyond repair.
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Enter the Horse Whisperer. (Played by Robert Redford). 
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In this remarkable story, a very gentle, patient man succeeds in restoring both girl and horse, using what the movie calls his “God-given gift” to connect intuitively with horses. The parallels to Christian life cannot be ignored.
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I watched the movie again this week, noting the similarities between the “Horse Whisperer” and our Savior, Jesus. 

Savior or Lord?

We come to Christ willingly at first, longing for freedom, which we find at salvation. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1.) This message of grace is powerful to us when we have been enslaved by sin and tormented by failure. We long for life to be better, and crave the warmth of being in Christ’s “stable!”

Many Christians remain in this “state of grace” forever. Receiving Jesus as Savior, they rejoice that they are loved and revel in the knowledge that the cross is enough to send them straight to heaven.
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Maturity, however, demands that we reach a place in Christ where we make a second important decision for Him: the decision to surrender to Christ as Lord. It requires a relinquishing of our freedom for a purpose greater than ourselves. We yield ourselves to unconditional service in His Kingdom.

While many confess “Jesus is Lord” at the outset, I believe that as we grow, we realize how little control we have actually given Christ; in many areas, we find we are still holding the reins to our lives!

As I contemplated this, I wondered: what is it that keeps us from surrendering all, really, to Jesus? Why do we sometimes wrestle with God over the things He calls us to do? How do we submit more eagerly to His yoke, which He claims is “easy” but which seems to us, at first blush, to be just another form of slavery?

The obvious answer, of course, is that the flesh battles against the soul and the spirit. We long to be comfortable and we want to run our lives – we carry the pride of life that says we know what we are doing and it’s been working for us before. (See 1 John 2:16.)

This classic movie, however, revealed to me another possible source of reluctance: we’ve all been hurt. Whether we’ve experienced trauma or rejection or pain, there are things that have happened to us, as to Grace’s horse Pilgrim, that cause us to lash out or rebel when confronted, to resist putting that harness back on. The Lord calls us to come, and emotionally we “rear up” against Him, using all the force within us to resist. We fear we will experience pain again.

Like Pilgrim, we are in a miserable state: bruises from the accident on our bodies, scars from a lost battle on our minds. Our mode of operation now is “self-protection.” Those who challenge us had better beware! Our anger will crush their desire!

What does it take to overcome these wounds? We need a “Spirit Whisperer:” Jesus.

Only someone who understands pain can help us overcome it. Only someone gentle enough to watch and wait for the truth can connect with us. Only someone with both patience and a firm, guiding hand can entice us to return.

There is a magical moment in the movie that I love. The “horse whisperer” (Redford) tries unsuccessfully to harness Pilgrim, who rebels and flees at a fast gallop out to pasture. Trust does not come easily for this one!

Rather than pursue him, Redford sits down at the opposite end of the pasture and waits. His eyes never leave Pilgrim; the horse knows what the trainer expects. The trainer doesn’t give up on the horse, despite his life-threatening injuries; he simply waits for Pilgrim to choose to trust him – just as Jesus allows us to choose Him as Lord.

After many hours, Pilgrim slowly turns around, taking a few tentative steps toward the master. Such slow progress! Yet the trainer still waits. Eventually, Pilgrim closes the distance between them and returns to the Whisperer’s arms. From that point on, Pilgrim is willing to trust again and to receive the harness, knowing that it is for his ultimate good.

What a beautiful picture of our life in Christ! What a poignant reminder of the love of Christ that waits patiently for a willing Bride, never coercing her into submission, never forcing her into service!

The goal will always be for us to take His yoke upon our shoulders. But we have a wonderful promise in Matthew 11: 29: “I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” His yoke is easy, His burden is light. Anything Christ calls you to do He will have already prepared you for. Most importantly, anything He summons you to will be done together, with Him by your side. You need never fear the surrender of your life to such a kind and wise Master!

To close, I want to share, with his daughter Becky’s permission, a vision that a Missouri-based minister, Bill Britton, had many years ago in a pastors' conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is so closely tied to today’s theme that I felt you simply had to see it! I pray it will encourage you as much as it has encouraged me, and that you will continue that process of yielding wholly to the One who “whispers” so gently to your Spirit: “Come!”

Bill Britton: "I Saw the King's Carriage!"

​On a dirt road in the middle of a wide field stood a beautiful carriage, something on the order of a stagecoach, but all edged in gold, and with beautiful carvings. It was pulled by six large chestnut horses, two in the lead, two in the middle and two in the rear. But they were not moving, they were not pulling the carriage, and I wondered why.

Then I saw the driver underneath the carriage, on the ground on his back, just behind the last two horses' heels, working on something between the front wheels of the carriage. I thought, "My, he is in a dangerous place; for if one of those horses kicked or stepped back, they could kill him, or if they decided to go forward, or got frightened somehow, they would pull the carriage right over him."

But he didn't seem afraid, for he knew that those horses were disciplined and would not move till he told them to move. The horses were not stamping their feet nor acting restless, and though there were bells on their feet, the bells were not tinkling. There were pom-poms on their harness over their heads, but the pom-poms were not moving. They were simply standing still and quiet, waiting for the voice of the Master.

There were two young colts in the field. As I watched the harnessed horses, I noticed two young colts coming out of the open field, and they approached the carriage and seemed to say to the horses: "Come and play with us, we have many fine games, we will race with you, come catch us." And with that the colts kicked up their heels, flicked their tails and raced across the open field.

But when they looked back and saw the horses were not following, they were puzzled. They knew nothing of harnesses, and could not understand why the horses did not want to play. So they called to them: "Why do you not race with us? Are you tired? Are you too weak? Do you not have strength to run? You are much too solemn, you need more joy in life."

But the horses answered not a word, nor did they stamp their feet or toss their heads. They stood, quiet and still, waiting for the voice of the Master.

Again the colts called to them: "Why do you stand so in the hot sun? Come over here in the shade of this nice tree. See how green the grass is? You must be hungry, come and feed with us, it is so green and so good. You look thirsty, come drink of one of our many streams of cool clear water."

The horses answered them with not so much as a glance, but stood still, waiting for the command to go forward with the King. 

Colts in the Master's Corral

And then the scene changed, and I saw lariat nooses fall around the necks of the two colts, and they were led off to the Master's corral for training and discipline. How sad they were as the lovely green fields disappeared, and they were put into the confinement of the corral with its brown dirt and high fence. The colts ran from fence to fence, seeking freedom, but found that they were confined to this place of training.

And then the Trainer began to work on them, with his whip and His bridle. What a death for those who had been all their lives accustomed to such a freedom! They could not understand the reason for this torture, this terrible discipline. What great crime had they done to deserve this?

Little did they know of the responsibility that was to be theirs when they had submitted to the discipline, learned to perfectly obey the Master, and finished their training. All they knew was that this processing was the most horrible thing they had ever known.
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Submission and Rebellion

​One of the colts rebelled under the training, and said, "This is not for me. I like my freedom, my green hills, my flowing streams of fresh water. I will not take any more of this confinement, this terrible training." So he found a way out, jumped the fence and ran happily back to the meadows of grass.

I was astonished that the Master let him go, and went not after him. But He devoted His attention to the remaining colt. This colt, though he had the same opportunity to escape, decided to submit his own will, and learn the ways of the Master.

The training got harder than ever, but he was rapidly learning more and more how to obey the slightest wish of the Master, and to respond to even the quietness of His voice. And I saw that had there been no training, no testing, there would have been neither submission nor rebellion from either of the colts.

​For in the field they did not have the choice to rebel or submit, they were sinless in their innocence. But when brought to the place of testing and training and discipline, then was made manifest the obedience of one and the rebellion that lay hidden in the heart of the other. And though it seemed safer not to come to the place of discipline because of the risk of being found rebellious, yet I saw that without this there could be no sharing of His glory, no Sonship.

Into the Harness

​Finally this period of training was over. Was he now rewarded with his freedom, and sent back to the fields? Oh no. But a greater confinement than ever now took place, as a harness dropped about his shoulders. Now he found there was not even the freedom to run about the small corral, for in the harness he could only move where and when his Master spoke. And unless the Master spoke, he stood still.

The scene changed, and I saw the other colt standing on the side of a hill, nibbling at some grass. Then across the fields, down the road came the King's carriage, drawn by six horses.

With amazement he saw that in the lead, on the right side, was his brother colt, now made strong and mature on the good corn in the Master's stable. He saw the lovely pom-poms shaking in the wind, noticed the glittering gold bordered harness about his brother, heard the beautiful tinkling of the bells on his feet and envy came into his heart.

Thus he complained to himself: "Why has my brother been so honored, and I am neglected? They have not put bells on my feet, nor pom-poms on my head. The Master has not given me the wonderful responsibility of pulling His carriage, nor put about me the golden harness. Why have they chosen my brother instead of me?"

And by the Spirit the answer came back to me as I watched. "Because one submitted to the will and discipline of the Master, and one rebelled, thus has one been chosen and the other set aside." 

A Famine in the Land

Then I saw a great drought sweep across the countryside, and the green grass became dead, dry, brown and brittle. The little streams of water dried up, stopped flowing, and there was only a small muddy puddle here and there.

I saw the little colt (I was amazed that it never seemed to grow or mature) as he ran here and there, across the fields looking for fresh streams and green pastures, finding none. Still he ran, seemingly in circles, always looking for something to feed his famished spirit. But there was a famine in the land, and the rich green pastures and flowing streams of yesterday were not to be had.
 
One day the colt stood on the hillside on weak and wobbly legs, wondering where to go next to find food, and how to get strength to go. Seemed like there was no use, for good food and flowing streams were a thing of the past, and all the efforts to find more only taxed his waning strength. Suddenly he saw the King's carriage coming down the road, pulled by six great horses. And he saw his brother, fat and strong, muscles rippling, sleek and beautiful with much grooming.

His heart was amazed and perplexed, and he cried out: "My brother, where do you find the food to keep you strong and fat in these days of famine? I have run everywhere in my freedom, searching for food, and I find none. Where do you, in your awful confinement, find food in this time of drought? Tell me, please, for I must know!"

And then the answer came back from a voice filled with victory and praise: "In my Master's House, there is a secret place in the confining limitations of His stables where He feeds me by His own hand, and His granaries never run empty, and His well never runs dry."
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And with this the Lord made me to know that in the day when people are weak and famished in their spirits in the time of spiritual famine, that those who have lost their own wills, and have come into the secret place of the most High, into the utter confinement of His perfect will, shall have plenty of the corn of Heaven, and a never ending flow of fresh streams of revelation by His Spirit. Thus the vision ended. 

Interpretation of the Vision

"Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." (Habakkuk 2:2) "Harness the horses: and get up, ye horsemen" (Jeremiah 46:4). I'm sure that many of you who can hear what the Spirit saith to the Church, have already seen what God was showing in the vision. But let me make it plain. Being born into the Family of God, feeding in the green pastures and drinking of the many streams of the unfolding revelation of His purposes is fine and wonderful. But it is not enough.

While we were children, young, undisciplined, limited only by the outer fence of the Law that ran around the limits of the pastures, (that kept us from getting into the dark pastures of poison weeds), He was content to watch us develop and grow into young manhood, spiritually speaking. But the time came to those who fed in His pastures, and drank at His streams, when they were to be brought into discipline or "child-training" for the purpose of making them mature Sons.

Many of the children today cannot understand why some of those who have put on the harness of God cannot get excited by the many religious games and the playful antics of the immature. They wonder why the disciplined ones run not after every new revelation or feed on every opportunity to engage in seemingly "good and profitable" religious activities. They wonder why some will not race with them in their frantic efforts to build great works and great and notable ministries. They cannot understand the simple fact that this Company of saints is waiting for the voice of the Master, and they do not hear God in all this outward activity.

They will move in their time, when the Master speaks. But not before, though many temptations come from the playful colts. And the colts cannot understand why those who seemingly appear to have great abilities and strength are not putting it to good use. "Get the carriage on the road", they say, but the disciplined ones, those in God's harness, know better than to move before they hear the voice of the Master. They will move in their time, with great purpose, and great responsibility.

And the Lord made me to know that there were many whom He had brought into training who had rebelled against the discipline, the chastising of the Father. And they could not be trusted with the great responsibility of mature Sonship, so he let them go back to their freedom, back to their religious activities and revelations and gifts. They are still His people, still feeding in His pastures, but He has set them aside from the great purposes for the end of the age. So they revel in their freedom, feeling that they are the Chosen ones with the many streams of living water, not knowing that they have been set aside as unfit for His great work in this end of the Age.

And He showed me that though the chastising seemeth grievous for the time, and the discipline hard to endure, yet the result with all the glory of Sonship is worth it all, and the glory to follow far exceeds the suffering we endure. And though some lose even their lives in this training, yet they will share alike in the glory of His eternal purposes.

So faint not, saints of God, for it is the Lord that doth bring thee into confinement, and not thine enemy. It is for thy good, and for His glory, so endure all things with praises and thanksgiving that He hath counted thee worthy to share His glory! Fear thou not the whip in His hand, for it is not to punish thee, but to correct and train thee, that thou mightest come into submission to His will, and be found in His likeness in that Hour.

Rejoice thou in thy trials, in all thy tribulations, and glory thou in His cross, and in the confining limitations of His harness, for He hath chosen thee, and He hath taken upon Himself the responsibility of keeping thee strong and well fed, so lean thou upon Him, and trust not in thin own ability and thine own understanding. So shalt thou be fed, and His hand shall be upon thee, and His glory shall overshadow thee and shall flow through thee as it goes forth to cover the earth. Glory to God! Bless the Lord, He's wonderful! Let Him be Lord of your life, friends, and complain not at that which He bringeth to pass in your life.
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Plenty in the Time of Famine

For in the hour when famine sweeps the land, He shall feed by His own hand those who are submitted to His perfect will, and who dwell in the secret place of the Most High. When terror stalks the land, those in His harness shall not be afraid, for they shall feel His bit and bridle and know the guidance of His Spirit.

When others are weak and frail and fearful, there shall be those who shall be strong in the power of His might, and shall lack for no good thing. In the hour when the traditions of the religious systems have proven false, and their streams have dried up, then His Chosen ones shall speak forth with the true Word of the Lord.

So rejoice, Sons of God, that you have been chosen by His grace for this great work in this last hour. The fence which kept the colts in their own meadows and their own pastures means nothing to the team in the harness, for the gates open to them, and they go forth pulling the King's carriage into many strange and wonderful places. They do not stop to eat the poison weeds of sin, for they feed only in the Master's stable. These fields they trample under their feet as they go forth on the King's business.

And so to those who are brought into absolute subjection to His will, there is no Law. For they move in the Grace of God, led only by His Spirit where all things are lawful but not all things are expedient. This is a dangerous realm for the undisciplined, and many have perished in sin as they leaped over the fence without His harness and His bridle.

Some have thought of themselves as being completely harnessed and submissive to Him, only to find that in some avenue of their life there dwelled rebellion and self-will. Let us wait before Him until He puts His noose around us and draws us to His place of training. And let us learn of the dealings of God and the movings of His Spirit until at last we feel His harness drop about us, and hear His voice guiding us. Then there is safety from the traps and pitfalls of sin, and then shall we abide in His house forever!"  ​-Bill Britton

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
-1 Corinthians 9:19, ESV

© Deborah Perkins / www.HisInscriptions.com Note: This vision, along with several others, can be found in the publication “Eagle Saints Arise,” which will be reprinted shortly by Bill Britton Ministries. Click here to view their website and other books by this author. “The Harness of the Lord” vision reprinted here with permission. To view the full vision, along with Bill's introductory remarks, click here. Image credits: Cover: Erin Dolson of Unsplash. Secondary photo: Marylou Salon, Unsplash
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