Don’t Be a Stubborn Mule
At the end of Psalm 32, David instructs us in the right way to go. He wants to help others to celebrate the joy of forgiveness and avoid the pitfalls of unconfessed sin (32:8). He uses a couple of similes to warn his readers not to be like the horse or the mule. These are animals with no understanding (32:9). They cannot know what is right or wrong and only live by instinct. Believers, you have the Scriptures to guide you in the right path. Do not live obeying your fleshly desires like an animal who does not know better. David says the mule and horse have to have a bit and bridle in order to make them do what you want them to do (32:9). God will use necessary means to make you stay on the right path; but He prefers a willing and submissive heart to a stubborn and proud one.
There is great joy in trusting and obeying God. The wicked face many sorrows in life this life, without the prospect of divine help (32:10). Then they will face eternal judgment for their sins (Rev 20:14-15). The godly, on the other hand, are surrounded by the loyal love of God (32:10). The godly can rejoice and praise God along with the assembly of saints and be glad in Him (32:11). They can say with a glad heart, “how blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!”
The choice for every believer is to be stubborn like a mule and refuse to acknowledge your sin and endure divine discipline, that will increase your guilty fears and spiritual depression; or confess your sins and find relief and joy in divine forgiveness in God’s love.