"Stubborn As A Mule"

Through his prolific song writing and using his music as a teaching medium, David was the primary source of spiritual education for his nation. As both their political and spiritual leader, he brought together the best of both worlds, although that was a rather brief reality which his successors failed to live up to.
Speaking in the first person for Yahweh, David taught them this truth - "I WILL INSTRUCT YOU AND TEACH YOU THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO; I WILL COUNSEL YOU WITH MY EYE UPON YOU. BE NOT LIKE A HORSE OR A MULE, WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING, WHICH MUST BE CURBED WITH BIT AND BRIDLE OR IT WILL NOT STAY NEAR YOU." Then follows the "counsel" he wanted them to hear and pay very careful attention to - "MANY ARE THE SORROWS OF THE WICKED, BUT STEADFAST LOVE SURROUNDS THE ONE WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD. BE GLAD AND REJOICE O RIGHTEOUS, ALL YOU UPRIGHT IN HEART." Psalm 32:8-11 ESV
All of us are by nature as stubborn as a mule, we have to LEARN TO LISTEN to our parents, our teachers, our spouse and especially our Maker and Father. Our instinct is to run away from what appears uncomfortable or in any way threatens our sense of self. Anyone who has ever spent much time around mules or horses understands why David chose them as an example of how not to be. We all need to listen closely to God's instructions and resist the instinct to run away.
I know of NO better words of advice than these few simple words from David. The Israelite people knew it then just like we know it now, but we too need to be reminded. All David did was re-state the ancient SHEMA of Moses from Deut 6, what Jesus called THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT at Mark 12.
Maybe you too will appreciate Eugene Peterson's interpretation of David's words - "God-defiers are always in trouble; God-affirmers find themselves loved every time they turn around". Psalm 32:10 MSG I can only add HALLELUJAH!