STANDING THE TEST

[Abraham was] fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. (Romans 4:21, ESV)

Do you ever get nervous for a player coming down the stretch as you watch the last few holes of a tournament?

I know I did this past weekend, watching each player in contention step on to the tee at seventeen during The Players. The wind was going crazy and the pressure was mounting.  I can only imagine what was going through the players' minds as they repeatedly wiped their hands on their towels. How could they even draw the club back?

They could do it because of their experience, preparation, and desire.

During the playoff, winner Sergio Garcia's went to four feet while Paul Goydos' ball found the water. Both men trusted—and it was seemingly well placed trust—all of their work, desire and experience. And they were both able to stand the test. However, in this situation the difference was simply a matter of circumstances: the wind beat Paul Goydos.

In our spiritual journeys, there are times when we "hit it to four feet" and times when we "hit into the water," and the only difference is the circumstances. There are times that we can respond faithfully to the Lord, and the results might not be what the world would consider successful. For this reason, we must not place our trust in the results but in the divine purposes of God.

In chapters 3 and 4 of Romans, Paul—after describing the complete depravity of man, the need to fulfill the Law perfectly, and the pending deserved wrath of God—laid out the hope of God's redemptive provision by faith. It is by faith alone in Jesus Christ that we can resolve the aforementioned problems and thus begin our spiritual journey. Paul taught that Abraham's righteousness was reckoned to him because of his faith, not his works (4:1-3). In the same way we are counted righteous only by our faith.

Once we've begun this relationship with God, we must continue to walk in faith. In our verse today, we see that Abraham was fully convinced that God was able to do what He had planned—in other words, God completes what He has begun in us. Abraham maintained his hope in the covenant promise of God even though his circumstances (Sarah's barrenness) made it look impossible. Abraham was able to maintain his hope because he was convinced of the supreme power of God.

It is in light of this faith that we should live our lives. It is difficult, but we can trust God and His purposes even when we don't understand them. When we are truly convinced of His power we too can maintain our hope and stand the test of both "hitting it to four feet" (success) and "hitting it into the water" (trials and struggles).

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Stephen Bunn

May 13, 2008

Copyright 2008 Links Players International

The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.