The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. (Proverbs 24:5, NLT)
Do you ever wonder what the limits are? With Bryson DeChambeau leading the way at more than 320 yards per drive and about a dozen other PGA Tour players averaging above 310, the question up for debate is how far is too far? The ladies aren’t threatening to “break” golf courses, but many of them are approaching the 300-yard threshold as well, including major champions A Lim Kim and Patty Tavatanakit. It’s a big hitter’s world.
While we might argue vociferously that technological changes need to be made, such as “dialing back” the golf ball or shrinking the size of drivers, it’s harder to argue that players should stop working out. Physical conditioning is an athlete’s prerogative. In golf this includes work in the gym and on the range, adding strength and refining technique.
Maybe you wish you could bat it out there with the long hitters. But golf can be played in more ways than one. Jordan Spieth, Webb Simpson, and Collin Morikawa all own major championships and recent wins despite landing in the lower half of the PGA Tour’s distance stats. Farther back still is Patrick Reed. What gives these players their wins? We might call it finesse or a feel for the moment. As likely is that they have a good plan and stick to it.
We’ve been moving into a position to see God for who he is and see the world as he sees it.Today’s proverb, the last in our series, gives preeminent status to something besides raw strength. In Solomon’s day, strength was lauded because it defended kings and kingdoms. Solomon’s father, David, assembled a list of mighty men, those famous for their battlefield prowess. Put a strong man on a chariot pulled by a strong horse and you could almost count on victory.
But Solomon wrote of something greater: Wisdom. Knowledge. With these you might not need to fight at all. You can settle disputes as a peacemaker, lay plans as an architect, create laws that serve people of every status. With these you remember that the strongest one was never an earthly king, but God Almighty, the Creator and Lord.
Do you see now where we have been heading all these weeks? We’ve been moving into a position to see God for who he is and see the world as he sees it. When we do this, we become wise. When we do this, we become strong.
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Jeff Hopper
July 23, 2021
Copyright 2021 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
OTHER DEVOTIONS IN THIS SERIES
Oh, To Be Wise 1: Finding Wisdom
Oh, To Be Wise 2: Good Advice
Oh, To Be Wise 3: A Tested Heart
Oh, To Be Wise 4: A Guarded Heart
Oh, To Be Wise 5: A Winning Way
Oh, To Be Wise 6: The Right Word
Oh, To Be Wise 7: Loving Discipline
Oh, To Be Wise 8: Equal Before God