“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.” (Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV)
With the dawn of a new year comes a wave of resolutions: Spend more time practicing putting, read three books to help improve my mindset, go to the range a certain amount of times a week, or play 18 holes every other week.
It is not bad to make goals and we are wise to set aside time to practice and improve on our golf games (that is, if we value it). We all make time for what we deem most important. If we value our golf games, work, relationships, etc., how much more ought we to value our time spent with God and in his Word? Paul wrote to Timothy that while “physical training is of some value, godliness has value for all things.”
Believe me, I enjoy writing to-do lists as much as almost anybody, but I would be remiss if I did not also make plans for what I will be reading in God’s Word. Like any close relationship, it takes intentionality. I don’t just accidentally grow closer to God. By his grace, he has revealed himself to us in the Bible and I believe that is where we can grow deeply in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
As I have begun my Bible reading plan for the year, I am amazed at how God’s Word never ceases to come alive. Reading through Genesis, I resonate with the brokenness of God’s people and how consistently they sin by acting based on their own wisdom instead of obeying God. Yet God’s plans will not be thwarted! God continues to be faithful when his people are not.
If you don’t believe me, I encourage you to read Genesis for yourself. We see Adam and Eve disobey God, who in graciousness did not destroy them but rather promised a Savior. Later, God promised to bless Abraham and make him a great nation. Impatient, he and Sarah tri to take matters into their own hands, but God again was gracious and faithful in fulfilling the promise in his perfect timing. Even when Isaac attempted to give a blessing to Esau but it was stolen by Jacob, God eventually fulfilled his promises. The theme keeps going throughout the entire Bible, demonstrating God’s unfailing faithfulness and love for his people.
My encouragement to you, brothers and sisters in the faith, is to not only spend time tending to your golf game time tending to your soul. If the Bible intimidates you, reach out to a fellow believer and ask for guidance. In a day and age where we have more resources than we know what do with, don’t take this access for granted. Start small and be faithful in the time you spend in prayer and in reading. Just as you don’t start beating range balls for hours on end when you are first beginning to play the game, you progress in your time with the Lord, too.
While we may or may not keep our New Year’s resolutions, we will frequently fail in walking in step with God. But there is good news—God doesn’t fail. He is always faithful and his love for us is steadfast. Hallelujah!
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Aimee Neff
January 18, 2018
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.