“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (Numbers 23:19, ESV)
I am blessed to spend a great deal of my time outdoors. I love getting to see new places and different golf courses and to watch up and coming junior players.
There is so much assurance to be found in the truths about God in the Word he inspired to reveal himself to us.As a college coach, I frequently get the question, “What are you looking for when you’re recruiting at a tournament?” I’m tempted to give a John Wooden-like answer. The legendary UCLA basketball coach was once to describe his perfect player. He replied, “One that saw the importance of an education, but also one that could play too; one that knew defense won championships, but also one that could play offense too and look for the past first and not shoot all the time, and one that could pass and would pass; I want him to be able to shoot from the outside and be good inside too, and I would want him to be able to rebound well at both ends…”
In short, it’s easy to say we want a player who has a solid setup, grip, posture, swing speed, ability to work the ball, good speed control putting, creativity in short shots, etc. Two things that really stand out to me after their attitude and way they carry themselves are a player’s consistency and reliability. Even if they have an unorthodox move, is it consistent? Is it reliable? Those are things I like to watch and take note of.
While golf swings and people can sway like the wind when it comes to being consistent and reliable, we can take comfort and hope knowing the Lord is unchanging. In the book of Hebrews, we read that Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Isaiah said, “The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable” (Isaiah 40:8, 28). Paul wrote to Timothy that even if we are faithless, God remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). Moses preached: “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4). Throughout the Psalms we read that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, our rock, our salvation. Oh, the comfort I pray this truth gives you! Our souls crave one who is always consistent and always reliable—we find that in the Lord.
Our verse today, even while spoken by an unsure prophet, says, “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” God promises that he is working all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea… the LORD Almighty is with us (Psalm 46).
There is so much assurance to be found in the truths about God in the Word he inspired to reveal himself to us. Let your hearts be encouraged that when golf swings, scores, situations and people are inconsistent and unreliable, God is always consistent and always reliable.
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Aimee Neff
October 20, 2016
Copyright 2016 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.