By: Denny

I was sorting through some old files the other day and came across this writing that was given to me in the mid 1980’s. I do not know the author as it was listed as anonymous. It was written by a person who was given this vision by the Lord. Though it was given some thirty-five years ago, I believe the message is timely and just as relevant or even more so for us today. It was originally titled The Harness of the Lord.

     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 6 large chestnut horses; two in the lead, two in the middle, and two in the rear. They were not moving, and I wondered why. Then I saw the driver underneath the carriage lying on his back on the ground just behind the last two horses’ heels. He was working on something between the front wheels on the carriage. I thought, “My, he is in a dangerous place, because if one of those horses kicked or stepped back, they could kill him. On the other hand, if they were spooked and ran forward the carriage would run right over him.” He didn’t seem to be afraid for he knew that the horses were disciplined and would not move until he told them to move. The horses were not stamping their feet, the bells were not tinkling, and the pom-poms on their heads were not moving. They were simply standing still and quiet, waiting for the voice of their Master.

     As I watched the harnessed horses, I noticed two young colts coming out of the field. They approached the carriage and seemed to say to the other horses, “Come play with us. We have many fine games. We will race with you. Come catch us!” With that the colts kicked up their heels, flicked their tails and raced across the open field. When they looked back, they saw the horses were not following them, and they were puzzled. They knew nothing of the harness, 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 the strength to run? You are much too solemn. You need more joy in life.” The horses answered not a word, nor did they stamp their feet or toss their heads, but they stood quiet and still, waiting for the voice of their Master. Again the colts called to them, “Why do you stand 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 good. You look thirsty, come and drink from one of our many streams of cool clear water.” The horses answered them not so much as a glance, but stood still, waiting for the command to go forward with the Master.

     Then the scene changed, and I saw lariat nooses fall around the necks of the two colts. They were led off to the Master’s corral for training and discipline. How sad they were as the 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, but found they were confined to this place of training. Next, the trainer began to work on them with his whip and bridle. It seemed like death for they had all their lives been accustomed to so much freedom. They could not understand the reason for this torture and terrible discipline. What crime had they done to deserve this? Little did they know of the responsibility that was to be theirs when they had submitted to discipline, finished their training, and learned to perfectly obey the Master. All they knew was that his processing was the most horrible thing they had ever known.

     One of the colts rebelled under training and said, “This is not for me I like my freedom, my green hills, and 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 didn’t go after him, but 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 or testing, there would have been neither submission nor rebellion from either of the colts. In the field they did not have the choice to rebel or submit, but when brought to the place of testing, training, and discipline; then was made manifest the obedience of the one and the rebellion of the other. 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 the Master’s glory. Finally this period of training was over for the second colt. Was he now rewarded with his freedom, and sent back to the fields? Oh no! A greater confinement than ever now took place as a harness was dropped about his shoulders. Now he found that there was not even the freedom to run about the small corral. In the harness, he could only move where his Master spoke, and until 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, when across the fields and down the road came the Master’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. The colt saw the pom-poms shaking in the wind, and noticed the glittering gold bordered harness about his brother. He 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 and pom-poms on my head. The Master has not given me the wonderful responsibility of pulling his carriage, nor put about me the gold harness. Why have they chosen my brother instead of me?” By the Holy 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 one has been chosen and the other set aside.”

     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 and 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, but finding none. Still he ran, seemingly in circles, always looking for something to eat to satisfy his hunger, but there was a famine in the land, and the rich green pastures and flowing streams of yesterday were not to be found. One day the colt stood on the hillside on weak and wobbly legs wondering where to go to find food, and how to get strength to go. It 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 Master’s carriage coming down the road pulled by 6 great horses. Again, he saw his brother, fat and strong, muscles rippling, sleek and beautiful from much grooming. His heart was amazed and perplexed, and he cried out, “My brother, where do you find 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!” The answer came back from his brother with a voice filled with victory and praise, “In my Master’s house there is a secret place in the confining limitation of his stables where he feeds me by his own hand. His granaries never run empty and his well never runs dry.”

   Thus the vision ended, and the Lord made me to know that people will be weak and famished in their spirits, because of the spiritual famine. However, those who have lost their own will and have come into the secret place of the Most High, and into the utter confinement of his perfect will, shall have plenty of “Corn of Heaven”, and a never-ending flow of fresh streams of revelation by His Spirit. “So do not faint Saints of God, for it is the Lord that brings you into confinement, and not your enemy. It is for your good and for His glory, so endure all things with praises and thanksgiving that He has counted you worthy to share in His glory! Do not fear His rod for it is not to punish you, but to correct and train you that you would come into submission to His will, and be found in His likeness in that hour. Rejoice in your trials and in all your tribulations. Glory in His cross and in the confining limitations of His harness, for He has chosen you and has taken upon Himself the responsibility of keeping you strong and well fed. Lean on Him and trust not in your own ability and understanding, so you will be fed. His hand will be upon you and His glory will overshadow you, and will flow through you as it goes forth to cover the earth. Glory to God! Bless the Lord! He is wonderful! Let Him be your Master and Lord and do not complain about that which He brings to pass in your life.”

Matthew 20:16 Jesus says, “For many are called, but few chosen.”  This is hard to understand. In the vision both young colts were called by the Master. However, the one fled and the other stayed. Later, it seemed unfair to the rebellious colt that his brother was chosen to pull the Master’s carriage. God does not play favorites, so one could conclude that “being chosen” is in direct relationship to you laying down your own will in submission and surrender to His. Which will you choose to be, one of the Many or Few? Make your choice today while the Lord is still calling, because when the hard times come, you will be well fed in The Secret Place.