Exodus 16:15

And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

“Par” is the term for the number of strokes prescribed the golfer to get the ball to fall inside the hole. In other words, “par” is the number of strokes we are told it should take to put the ball in the hole. Some pars feel better than others. Other pars feel more like bogeys as you lose strokes to the field because many golfers will make birdies on the “easier” holes. The golfer is told before the round what his or her score should be. The golfer’s success or failure is judged by the score in relation to par. A golf course is comprised of 18 holes with differing numbers of par 3’s, par 4’s and par 5’s. Some “par four” holes are harder than others and a bogey feels like an accomplishment because of distance or other hazards on such a hole. Similarly, most golfers feel disappointment when they do not card a birdie on a par five.

Our society frequently tells us what something really is or should be based upon its own standards. If we don’t progress to a certain standard or attain a level within a given period of time, we are deemed failures. Disappointment is most certain when we allow the world to set our standards. Many times our discontent originates from this worldly comparison.

We are taught to try and identify something or characterize a certain event in our life instead of just taking it for what it is. Not all negative events in our lives are chastisements and not all positives are blessings from God for our obedience.

We have the assurance that God provides for His people. The Israelites in the wilderness complained continually no matter the provisions granted by God. We frequently catch ourselves in the same condition if we allow society or the people around us dictate our suitabilities and successes. Despite our murmurings and discontent, God is faithful to provide our every need.

In Romans 8:29-32, Paul gives us a great assurance by writing, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” God didn’t bring us this far to let us fail.

The “par for this world” is not the same standard established by our Heavenly Father. Society does not dictate our successes and failures. We should continually remind ourselves of Psalms 139:14 and “praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Let us judge our today by His standards and allow our opportunities and bestowments glorify His name!