Are we running our race right? 3 questions to ask in the Year of the Horse

Every Chinese New Year comes with its own set of expectations, symbols and conversations. This year, the Fire Horse takes centre stage.

In Eastern thought, the horse symbolises speed, strength, freedom and breakthrough, representing a season of movement and decisive action. Add fire to the mix and we get an even greater sense of urgency and passion.

As Christians, we do not look to the horoscope or zodiac for direction. Our confidence is not in the alignment of stars or the turning of the lunar calendar.

Yet, the Bible does not shy away from the imagery of horses. In fact, horses appear frequently – and significantly – throughout Scripture.

What does God say about horses, and what might He be reminding us of in such a season?

A symbol of strength and power

The first mention of horses in the Bible is found in Genesis 47:17, where Joseph, as the prime minister of Egypt, traded food in exchange for horses.

This, however, is not necessarily the earliest record of horses, for if Job is considered Abraham’s contemporary, then an earlier description of these magnificent animals can be found in Job 39:19-25.

In Job, God Himself speaks of the horse with lyrical pride in Job 39:19-24:

“Have you given the horse strength? Have you clothed his neck with thunder? Can you frighten him like a locust? His majestic snorting strikes terror. He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength; He gallops into the clash of arms. He mocks at fear, and is not frightened; nor does he turn back from the sword. The quiver rattles against him, the glittering spear and javelin. He devours the distance with fierceness and rage; nor does he come to a halt because the trumpet has sounded. At the blast of the trumpet he says, ‘Aha!’ He smells the battle from afar, the thunder of captains and shouting.”

The horse is portrayed as powerful, fearless, unmoved by chaos. This is no accidental creature. The horse is created strong, designed for action, and made for battle.

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7) Photo from Depositphotos.com.

From the very beginning, horses were presented as symbols of strength, power and might. Nations with many horses and chariots were feared. Military superiority was measured by the size of one’s stables.

In today’s terms, horses and chariots were the equivalent of advanced weaponry (think nuclear warheads) – the ultimate display of national security and dominance.

And Egypt had plenty of them.

What are we relying on?

When God delivered Israel out of Egypt, He did not merely defeat Pharaoh’s army. He dismantled their greatest symbol of power.

As the Egyptians pursued Israel with horses and chariots, God parted the Red Sea for His people and then closed it over Pharaoh’s forces (Exodus 14:28). Not a single horse remained.

From that point on, God gave Israel clear instructions: Do not return to Egypt for horses. Do not multiply them. Do not place your security there (Deuteronomy 17:16).

At first glance, it might appear that God was against horses. But that would be a misunderstanding. After all, God created the horse to be powerful and even boasted of its magnificence.

So, what was the issue? It was never about the horses. It was about where the people had placed their trust.

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7)

The danger was not in possession, but reliance.

Exodus 14:28, “Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained.” Movie still from The Prince of Egypt.

Centuries later, Isaiah would still be confronting the same heart issue:

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!” (Isaiah 31:1)

Israel kept returning to visible, tangible strength, rather than the unseen but faithful God.

If we are honest, this struggle did not end with them.

Today, we may not measure security in horses and chariots, but we have our modern equivalents: Money, systems, credentials, strategies, technology, influence, numbers.

None of these things are evil in themselves. Like horses, they are amoral resources. It is when we become attached to these in an unhealthy manner that the problem begins.

For example, money is neutral. It is the love of money that causes us to take our eyes off the Lord’s promise of provision, to worry anxiously and to greedily layup treasures on earth.

In Timothy 6:17, Paul did not tell the rich to stop being rich. Instead, he told them not to trust in their riches.

The issue has always been the same. The problem arises when these resources quietly replace God as our source of confidence.

This season, let us ask ourselves: What are we relying on? In what or whom are we placing our trust?

Which horses have we hamstrung?

When Israel entered the Promised Land, God instructed Joshua to hamstring the enemy’s horses (Joshua 11:6), rendering them unusable in future battles. This was a spiritual safeguard so that Israel would always rely on God to fight on their behalf.

Yet today, I fear that we have lost the ability to discern which horses belong to the enemy and which are the ones God has entrusted to us.

In many cases, we have done the opposite of what Joshua did.

Instead of hamstringing the enemy’s horses, we have hamstrung our own – the identity, spiritual strength, authority and calling God has placed within His people – while welcoming worldly power symbols and methods into our stables.

When this happens, churches run like corporations. Ministries are marketed like products. Success is measured by numbers and dollars. Worship becomes a performance. Our reliance shifts to these worldly symbols of power.

The tendency is to parade these horses proudly, believing they will carry us to victory. Meanwhile, we forget who we are in Christ, and neglect the power of prayer, obedience and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Lucas de Heere’s The Queen of Sheba visits King Solomon in Jerusalem (1559).

King Solomon had thousands of horses and chariots (1 Kings 10:26; 2 Chronicles 9:25). Though outwardly impressive, all it did was provide a façade that hid the cracks within God’s people.

When that veneer was removed, the true picture was revealed – and it was not a pretty one. After Solomon’s reign, the kingdom split, and over time both the northern and southern kingdoms fell into the hands of the enemy.

It has been said often that the modern Church is a mile wide and an inch deep, no thanks to cultural Christianity and shallow discipleship.

Have we been hamstringing the wrong horses?

Are we show horses or war horses?

There is a famous display by the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, featuring exquisitely trained Lipizzaner horses. Their movements are flawless. Their presentation is breathtaking.

Although the Lipizzaners are a breed of war horses, they are never deployed in battle. Through two world wars, they were hidden to ensure their safety and survival.

A Lipizanner horse on display. Photo from Wikicommons.

Clearly, they are worth more in a show than on a battlefield. They are trained to impress, not to fight.

One must ask: Could this be symbolic of believers today?

We know how to produce excellent services, great events, compelling music and inspiring messages. We are well-resourced and well-informed.

But are we ready for battle? Are we merely impressive to watch, or are we prepared to contend for the purposes of God in our generation?

Are we war horses? Or just show horses?

My own journey into understanding horses began with the name Archippus, found in Colossians 4:17.

And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord that you may fulfil it.”

The name Archippus means “master of horses”, one who cares for and trains the horses.

More than ever, we need men and women like Archippus who show the way – what it means to move purposefully on Kingdom assignment – and to raise others to do likewise. This is a beautiful picture of discipleship, stewardship and responsibility.

Horses are not meant to run wild, nor are they meant to be confined to comfortable paddocks. They are to be trained, directed and deployed so they can run out to fulfil all they have been assigned to.

War horses are to be made ready for battle.

Scripture tells us:

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.” (Proverbs 21:31)

This verse captures the balance perfectly. Preparation matters. Training matters. Readiness matters. But victory is never dependent on the horse. Our responsibility is obedience, not outcome.

Ultimately, victory and success belongs to the Lord.

A right response this year

As we step into a season symbolised by speed, action, passion and urgency, I believe God is calling His people to examine how we are running.

• Are we trusting in methods, or the Master?
• Are we relying on our own strengths, or on the Spirit?
• Are we looking for more teaching, or responding with obedience?
• Are we busy with Christian activities, or moving on Kingdom assignment?
• Are we running aimlessly, or advancing with purpose?

God has made us strong in Christ. We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit. As His royal and noble steeds, we are well placed to serve His Kingdom and mission through our God-given assignments.

This Lunar New Year, may we be a people who are ready for battle, yet fully dependent on the Lord.

Not by might. Not by the horse. But by His Spirit.

马到功成!

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