Plush greens, tight fairways, and vibrant pink azaleas. Best known for the Masters PGA Tournament, the Augusta National Golf Club does not disappoint. Living in Augusta, Georgia, for 15 years, I’ve crossed the hallowed grounds as spectator only once. Despite my inexperience with golf, I’ve learned that professional golfers highly value their caddies. These sidekicks are far more than mere bag carriers. Traversing the course together, a wise golfer depends on his caddie’s knowledge in a relationship of earned trust.
Well aware of the hardships His disciples would face after He returned to the Father, Jesus knew they couldn’t go the journey alone (John 14:16-17). They would face life-and-death challenges. They needed someone who had expert wisdom and would help them stay the course, no matter how difficult.
Our need is no less. To live pure before the Lord, we must walk in the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and depend on His voice. Even Jesus, in complete perfection, did not begin His ministry without the Holy Spirit (John 1:32-34).
Facilitating our communion with God, the Holy Spirit . . .
• Enables us to hear God’s voice as He, the Holy Spirit, searches our hearts (Romans 8:26-27).
• Gives us wisdom to help us understand and remember the Word (John 14:26).
• Bears witness with us of our inheritance in Jesus and our ability to overcome the enemy (Romans 8:11-16).
Truthfully, though, we often treat the Holy Spirit like a bag carrier. We prefer to tell Him what to do, expect Him to serve us, and use Him as our go-to guy. But He isn’t in our lives on an as-needed basis. He is not a caddie—He’s our daily Counselor, the One who takes us beyond playing the game to living the life.
More:
When you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago (Ephesians 1:13).
Next:
What value do you place on the daily counsel of the Holy Spirit? How do you demonstrate your trust in His leading?
RonB51 on April 2, 2009 at 9:21 am
As a trained and educated management consultant writings like this bring me to tears about my own life. I’m close to 60 and I keep learning every day. I love my God and I hope He continues blessing my life with His leadership and cleansing to make me His witness and example. Isaiah 40v31 and 41v10. I went into this devotional skeptical and came out humbled. Thank you.
regina franklin on April 2, 2009 at 9:37 am
It is only by His grace that we can do anything worthwhile. Like you, I am so thankful for His leadership and His continued persistence in drawing me closer to Him. I was just talking to someone about Is 40:31 yesterday and I remarked that I must be gaining strength because I’m in a place of having to wait on the Lord in a particular situation. What a great timely reminder for me of 41:10. Thanks for your honesty. May your day be blessed.