Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God. (1 Samuel 17, ESV)
What is your favorite golf memory? Narrowing it down to one might be too difficult. Perhaps it would be easier if I were to ask you to name a few of your fondest golf memories.
The categories from which to choose are endless: Best round played (nobody forgets that one); Your first hole-in-one (nobody forgets that one either); Favorite course played (that can be a difficult one); A match in which you won (especially if it was against difficult competition or a close friend); A particular round with your dad (that can be tough to recall without tears); Favorite golf trip, etc.
The game of golf doesn’t have a monopoly on building memories, but for those of us who love the game, golf certainly creates plenty of opportunities to cultivate memories that can last a lifetime.
It is no stretch to say that most golfers, with any prompting at all, can quickly dive into their memory banks and call up shot after shot. Some shots, whether recent or from decades past, are simply etched onto the tablets of their minds—especially those shots they hit well during contention in an important match or tournament. Calling up those memories can buoy the soul when we face challenging moments on the course.
When David heard that Goliath was taunting the armies of God, he made haste to the front lines to see for himself. And when King Saul tried to dissuade David from going to battle, David responded to Saul with, “Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” Notice two things:
First, David called on memories of past victories that the Great Shepherd had given him to boost his confidence for the present battle. David reasoned that striking down lions and bears attacking his family’s flock had prepared him to strike down an enemy attacking God’s flock. Second, he reminded Saul that Goliath was an “uncircumcised Philistine.”
Reminding ourselves how a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God has given us victories in the past, stirs our faith that he will be with us again in our present conflict.
Situate whatever difficulties you might be facing in the present in the context of God’s faithfulness in the past. Like David, recall all those “lions and bears” that the Spirit of Christ enabled you to defeat in days-gone-by. The recalling of God’s faithfulness is one way we gain the courage needed to face the difficulties of the present. Regardless of the challenge, always remember, “Christ Jesus is with you”!
Prayer – Jesus, remind me of those times when you’ve navigated me through difficult circumstances.