Our nation needs a generation of godly men. Families need fathers who are devoted followers of Jesus Christ. The righteous dad has tremendous influence on shaping his children to serve the Lord. The Bible declares, “The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him” (Proverbs 20:7, NKJV). Do you want to bless your children? Then resolve in your heart to serve the Lord and lead your family to serve the Lord. This was the resolve of Joshua in his famous statement some 3,400 years ago: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15, NKJV).
David challenged Solomon to be a man of God as he passed the kingdom to his control. As he neared death, David said to his son, “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn” (I Kings 2:2-3, NKJV). The NIV says, “act like a man.” The NLT says, “be a man.” The ESV says, “show yourself a man.” The father tells the son it is time to stand up and be a man. David also explains what real manhood entails. Being a man means walking with God and obeying His commands. Being a man means respecting and following the Word of God. Being a man means to follow Jesus Christ without apology or hesitation.
David’s description of manhood intrigues me. He was a great hunter who killed both lions and bears but does not speak of hunting to Solomon. He was a great fighter who killed Goliath but does not speak to Solomon about the need to fight. David was a ladies’ man who was famous for his romantic exploits but says nothing to his son about romance or women. What concerned this father most as he died was that his son lives his life for the glory of God! Show yourself to be a man, he said, and follow the Lord!
San Saba’s First Baptist Church is hosting a wild game supper for guys this coming Saturday at the 5J Exotic Ranch just outside of San Saba. Men, bring your sons and friends and join us at 5:00 P.M. for a brisket supper. The ranch is located 3 miles south of San Saba on Highway 16. Fry, bake, or grill some of your wild game and bring it along for others to sample, or simply come and explore what others bring. We will enjoy a meal together and encourage and be encouraged in our faith in Jesus Christ. Christian men need to strengthen one another. Paul wrote, “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours” (Romans 1:12, NLT).