A funeral sermon for someone who loved and worked with horses

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In fact, the Bible has quite a lot to say about horses.

I realise that I’m on dangerous ground here, but one of the main things that the Bible says about them is “put not your trust in horses”.

Now, before you all walk out in disgust, I ought to explain.

Of course, horses are wonderful and marvellous.

I know nothing about horses.

I have to admit I would be a little bit scared of going riding.

Some horses are much bigger that you might imagine, aren’t they?

Even I know that horses are impressive creatures, some for their speed, their grace and elegance, their power, their usefulness and much more.

The Bible has nothing against horses!

On the contrary.

The Bible says don’t put your trust in horses because it knows how good and valuable they are.

In Bible times, the people might very well have been tempted to trust in horses.

What the Bible is thinking about is the war horse – in fact, many war horses.

Now, even war horses are fine and good if the cause if just.

The Bible is not a pacifist book. Far from it.

But the Bible says don’t put your ultimate trust even in a mighty host of the finest war-horses.

It is as if the Bible said do not put your trust in Leopard 2A7 tank.

Or do not put your trust in the Trident Nuclear deterrent.

Again, I’m not making any kind of political point here either.

The Bible is saying that all those things might be very good and helpful, but ultimately you need something even better to put your trust in – someone even better – God himself.

What the Bible says is do not put your ultimate trust in anything or anyone other than God himself.

Death shows us that.

Everything changes and fails and passes away.

Even the best of people will let us down.

God alone endures.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and for ever.

He is the A and the Z, the beginning and the end.

He alone holds the keys of life and death.

God’s mercies are new every morning.

Jesus is a spring of water in the wilderness, a fountain of life in a parched land.

He is the bread of life to the starving soul.

He is an unshakable rock amidst sinking sands.

In fact, to return to horses as I close, Jesus is the Faithful and true Rider.

Let me finish with a great vision of the Lord Jesus Christ from the book of Revelation:

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse!

The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

¹² His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.

¹³ He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

¹⁴ And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.

¹⁵ From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron.

He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

¹⁶ On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

May God enable us to trust in him alone: Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Faithful and True Rider.

Christ crucified and risen draw you to himself,

to find in him a sure ground for faith,

a firm support for hope,

and the assurance of sins forgiven; and the blessing ...