“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19, ESV)
Naval Academy graduate Billy Hurley III marked his ball on the 66th hole on the twelfth green at Congressional Country Club. Two putts and six pars would be enough to win the Quicken Loans National for his first PGA win. He held a two-shot lead. But he left a 30-footer five feet short and missed.
There was only one place he couldn’t hit it on the par-3 thirteenth. Left. Which he did. He recovered well out of the high rough to 10 feet. Miss this putt, lose the lead. Like teetering dominoes, Billy knew what could happen.
The “N” in Links is of critical importance because God’s power is unleashed through brothers and sisters networked together in Jesus Christ.Steering a ship through the Suez Canal was the only thing where he’d felt more pressure. He steadied himself and stroked his putt into the center of the cup. After parring fourteen, he bunkered his tee shot on fifteen, left his iron short, resulting in a difficult shot over the bunker into the hard, fast green.
Meanwhile, three of Billy’s brothers in faith, Peter, Brandon and Corby were walking alongside Billy outside the ropes of the fairways. Prayers for their brother had increased in intensity like that of a tornado. Later Billy learned others on his team were praying with earnest fervency, too.
Billy struck his pitch shot solid but too strong. He ran to the left of the bunker to see where it would go.
Suddenly, the ball struck the pin dead solid and disappeared. Billy jumped two feet off the ground, raising his arms like a cheerleader. Something he’d never done in his life.
The birdie increased his lead to two, and another birdie at sixteen gave him a three-shot lead. After pars on seventeen and eighteen, he was applauded by tournament host Tiger Woods.
Do miracles happen today? Yes. When two or three followers of Jesus find agreement, anything is possible. What is impossible for man is not with God.
“… Is anything too difficult for Me?” our Lord asks (Jeremiah 32:27, NASB).
Was Billy’s pitch on fifteen a miracle? I do not know. But the real miracle was not on the golf course but off the course. The year before, during the same tournament Billy Hurley’s father had left home, leaving no note as to where he was going. Days later he committed suicide.
The spectacular win, which television broadcaster Peter Kostis called “the story of the year” was more about the galvanizing of Billy Hurley’s family than the victory itself.
The “N” in Links is of critical importance because God’s power is unleashed through brothers and sisters networked together in Jesus Christ who share that one mind in the Holy Spirit where even earthly losses can be wins.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Notice the plural those. No one is an island. No one need walk alone. The disciple of Jesus needs to walk with two or three in agreement.
—
Jim Hiskey
September 21, 2016
Copyright 2016 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.