Don’t Muzzle the Ox

By Michael Wells
Posted Friday, April 9, 2004

We are commanded not to muzzle the ox. This passage is applied to the fact that a workman is worthy of his hire. However, in talking with many believers, I believe that it also can apply to our spiritual lives in a different way. In many of the countries that I visit, the people are working seven days a week. In Asia they are only now thinking of six-day workweeks. In the West, the cost of living has gotten to the point that both husband and wife must work, often only passing each other sometime during the day. These situations have spiritually muzzled believers. We are not given the time of refreshing that we need before the Lord. We are not allowed to eat of the Lord. It isn’t right. Every believer needs to take time away. If Jesus took time apart, then we, His disciples, surely need it. Time apart with the Lord is not a luxury but a necessity. One summer I finished my travels with a total of five days off from January to July; I’d only had a day here and there between trips in which to prepare for the next trip. In the end I couldn’t hold a cup of coffee without shaking. I took two weeks in the mountains to do nothing but pray. The shaking stopped, I was refreshed, and I was fresh in the Lord. I am seeing that is something every believer needs, not just half an hour in the morning, but a few days away from others. I know that thought is shocking to those who can’t imagine doing anything without their mates. However, remember that your wife or husband belongs to the Lord first and foremost before belonging to you. Time with Him will change everything. Everyone needs time to step back and watch what falls apart. Everything that falls apart is of man, and everything that stays is of His making. You will find that you can continue working if you are not muzzled.