Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. (Psalm 78:1-4, ESV)
Golf’s Grand Slam consists of winning all four major championships at least once during a golfer’s career. Rory McIlroy wrote his name in the history book as the sixth man to do so with his victory at the 2025 Masters.
Winning all the major championships has been Rory’s dream since he was eight years old.
“Look, it’s a dream come true,” says Rory. “I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember. There were points in my career where I didn’t know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders, but I didn’t make it easy today…I was nervous. It was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on the golf course.”
Golf Digest writer Joel Beall states, “He accepted the risk of devastation because that is the terrible cost of magnificent dreams … because true catharsis only arrives when you conquer the thing everyone whispered would destroy you (Golf Digest, April 13, 2025).”
Asaph wrote a parable in Psalm 78 to remind the Israelites of their history. It was not a made-up parable like Jesus told so many times in the Gospels, but one drawn from real history to teach a deep lesson.
In the first eight verses, Asaph focuses on passing down to the next generation the stories of the glorious deeds of the Lord that he has done. The warning is for children not to be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation (verse 8).
The middle portion, verses nine through forty-one, reviews how even though God rescued Israel from Egypt with miracles, the people kept doubting, sinning, and forgetting God’s love and power.
Verses forty-two to seventy-two speak of God’s judgment and mercy. He reminds the reader of the plagues that saved Israel and how they arrived in the Promised Land. But Israel still betrayed God through idol worship. God’s anger ignited against them, but his mercy always gave way to shepherding his people home.
In summary, Asaph’s parable reminded the Israelites not to be forgetful, stubborn, or rebellious against God, to remember his miracles, and to trust the leaders God appoints.
Like the Israelites, we too have stories that shape who we are, both good and hard. Reflecting on and naming our hidden pain more honestly broadens our understanding to process and experience healing. God is in the details with us.
I have been on this journey for over a decade, and if you’re interested in reading more, my new book, Finding My Course: An Athlete’s Journey through Pain to Purpose, will be available on Amazon.com on May 5, 2025.
Prayer: Lord Father, thank you for caring about the details of our stories. Help me remember your glorious deeds and consider the truth about the good and bad experiences that have shaped my life.