Who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth. (Deuteronomy 8:16, ESV)
The USGA announced that the U.S. Amateur winner’s medal and the U.S. Junior Amateur trophy will now carry the name of Tiger Woods.
With nine USGA amateur titles and three U.S. Open victories, Woods has earned his place in USGA history.
As much as I appreciate golf history, I love studying the historical context of the Hebrew Scriptures and the forefathers of our faith even more.
In a previous devotional, I shared how the Lord tested the Israelites during their 40-day journey out of Egypt to Sinai. First, he tested their hearts—the seat of the will, emotions, rational thought, and choice—in following his commandments.
The second test was for their soul. To a Hebrew thinker, the soul is the core of your being. It’s all of you—physical and conscious life as a whole.
In the seventeenth chapter of Exodus, the people quarreled with Moses again about not having water to drink. Moses cried out to the Lord for help.
The Lord told Moses to take the elders and staff and go to the rock at Horeb (Sinai mountains). Here, the Lord stood between Moses and the rock and told Moses to strike the rock.
When the Israelites routinely settled back into doubt along their journey, the Lord responded with grace and love. He provided sustenance and restored and strengthened their souls, inviting them to trust him.
The test of their might played out in the fight against Amalek (Exodus 17:8-16). Amalek was known to attack the weak and vulnerable people, the marginalized.
The image of Aaron and Hur holding Moses’ hands in the air when he was tired is a picture of community. Joshua prevailed over Amalek.
But it wasn’t the might of Joshua that won the fight. It was the Lord’s presence behind Moses that defeated Amalek, providing protection and safety for the whole community.
Moses built an altar and named the place “The Lord Is My Banner,” as a reminder that it is the Lord who is behind our might, and we are to be of service to and help others in need.
God tested the heart, soul, and might of his people to see how they would respond and make them ready to become his bride at Sinai.
Will you love God with all your heart—even when circumstances are hard?
Will you love God with all your soul—even when you doubt that he is there?
Will you love God with all your might—with everything you have to offer?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a God who stands in the gap for me. Help me respond today to love you with all of my heart, soul, and might.