Looking the Part

"Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people." -1 Samuel 9.1-2

Saul would become the first king of Israel, and outwardly he has all the makings of a king. He is the descendant of a hero, a mighty man of valor. He stands out, as the most handsome man in Israel. He stands head and shoulders above everyone else. To top it off he is from the tribe of Benjamin, so he is a bit of an underdog, and a man of the people. If physical appearance, stature and heritage were the makings of a king then Saul had it all. But there is more that makes a king than simply what he looks like and who his family is.

Saul's reign, as we'll see, is full of paranoia, failure, and drifting from God. The things that set him apart at the beginning do not translate into action when he enters power. A king must do more than simply look the part, he must rise to play it. A king is not determined by what he looks like, but what he does.

Men, do you look the part of a King? Are you well groomed with a solid last name? Do you stand out? What is your motivation to rule? How have you wielded power before? What makes you fit to rule? There is more to a king than what he looks like or who his father is. Looking the part may help you get to power, it may even help you hold on to some support for a while, but if kingship only goes skin deep, everything will shortly fall apart.

Let us be men who live the part, not just look it to seize power. Let our lives be dedicated to the service and betterment of others. Let us be and live the part.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Who is Your King

"Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah; and they said to him, 'Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.' ... The Lord said to Samuel, 'Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them... Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them.' Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, 'No, but there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.' Now after Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the Lord’s hearing. The Lord said to Samuel, 'Listen to their voice and appoint them a king.'" -1 Samuel 8.4-5, 7, 9, 19-22a

Israel knows the condition of Samuel's sons, and they want nothing to do with their leadership. They know that they need a leader, and so they ask Samuel to appoint a king over them. The request is disturbing to Samuel, so he turns to God in prayer. God tells him to give the people a king, and that it is not a rejection of Samuel, but of God Himself. God is the King, Samuel is just His representative, and the people are seeking a new king. God instructs Samuel to warn them of all that a king will do, how he will take what they have to make himself comfortable, and how they will become his servants, but the warning falls on deaf ears. They demand a king, and God permits Samuel to appoint one.

One of the only sermons I remember my dad preaching is from this passage. He shared his testimony, and the various kings he followed in his life. Humans are created beings. The universe existed before any of us were born, and it will be here after we are gone. God existed before the universe, and He will be around long after it has been made new. God is the King, and yet time and again we enslave ourselves to something physical and temporal.

God permits us to pledge ourselves to other kings because He is not a tyrannical dictator. He gives us the power, and the freedom, to choose, and allows us to make our own decisions about whom we will serve, but He sends us out with a warning. He is a good king, and he offers life, peace, meaning, and love. Apart from Him there is death, shame, emptiness, and longing. He warns us, but allows us to go if we choose.

Men, we all have a king, who is yours? Alcohol? Porn? Money? Approval? Success? God? You get to decide where your allegiance lies. Alcohol and porn will consume you and leave you unfulfilled. Money will never satisfy. Approval can't fill the emptiness inside, nor can success. But God offers real life, a life that requires all of us, but a life that fulfills and satisfies as nothing else ever could. Who is your king?

Let us be men who refuse to serve any created thing. Let our allegiance be pledged only to the true King. Let us faithful serve God.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

The Work of God

"And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba. His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice." -1 Samuel 8.1-3

Samuel is old, and he knows that he cannot continue as Israel's judge forever. He appoints his sons to take his place so that Israel will not be leaderless. However, his sons are not righteous men. They don't live as Samuel does. They take the position of power, but not for the purpose of serving and bettering the lives of the people. They take it and realize that there is the potential for them to become rich and comfortable. They are bought off and don't act justly.

Samuel didn't have a relationship with his biological father, he was raised by Eli in the temple. Both of Eli's sons were worthless men, because Eli wasn't involved in their lives as he should have been. Samuel learned by watching Eli. The end of chapter 7 tells of Samuel's ministry, how he would go on a circuit each year, and then return home where he had an altar built. The text doesn't tell us how he was at as a father, but if I had to guess, I'm betting he followed Eli's example. The work of God took him from his family, and, based on the results, seems to have been his primary focus.

What would have happened if he had taken his sons along on his circuit ride? He might have, we aren't told either way, but what if his main focus was on investing in his sons and raising them to be godly leaders? In the next verse we see that the people of Israel are aware of the actions of Samuel's sons, and they ask for a king. His sons are not like him, and the people know it.

Men, are you investing in your children? Or do they take a backseat to your career? I've known many pastor's kids who grow up angry at the church because it took their father away from them. They want nothing to do with God because their dad was never around. How many sports orphans are there? How many dad's are just "too busy" working on their own thing to invest in their kids?

Someone else can do your job. Someone else can do the work of the church. Your sports hero will get by without your support. But no one else can be a father to your children. Being a father is the most important work God has given you to do.

Let us be men who invest in our families. Let us be men who teach our children to love and serve God. Let us be men who do the work of God.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Trust God

"Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, 'If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.' So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the Lord alone. Then Samuel said, 'Gather all Israel to Mizpah and I will pray to the Lord for you.' They gathered to Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day and said there, 'We have sinned against the Lord.' And Samuel judged the sons of Israel at Mizpah.Now when the Philistines heard that the sons of Israel had gathered to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the sons of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. Then the sons of Israel said to Samuel, 'Do not cease to cry to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.'" -1 Samuel 7.3-8

The ark has been returned a priest has been consecrated to take care of it, but the Philistines are still an issue. The sacred item has been returned, but Israel's lifestyle has not changed. Samuel has grown up, he is no longer the little boy who does not know the voice of God, but has become a man who serves as God's leader in Israel. He calls the people to wholeheartedly return to God, and to destroy the pagan worship that they have adopted. If they will do this, God will deliver them from the Philistines.

The people do what Samuel instructs them to do. Samuel calls them to gather at Mizpah for prayer, and the Philistines find out. They can't resist the opportunity of such an easy target. They march to battle, well more of what would be a massacre, and Israel hears that they are coming. They are afraid, but rather than make battle plans, they turn to God.

God comes through for them. God thunders and confuses the Philistines, allowing Israel to defeat them. Samuel sets up a memorial stone, declaring that God has been with Israel, and the Philistines do not come back into Israel. The people turned to God, trusted God, and God delivered them from their enemies.

Men, is this true of you? Have you turned to God? Are you serving Him with all your heart? Do you trust Him? When hard times arise do you make plans to fight yourself, or do you focus your attention on seeking God?

Israel had previously tried to do things their way. They had lived how they wanted, and when they went to battle they expected God to be with them because they had the object of His presence. They lost the fight, they lost the ark, and even when it was returned they lost over 50,000 men. But here, they turn to God, repent of their sin, and trust Him. When they do they win victory not simply in a battle, but in the war. Their lands are retaken and the Philistines are subdued.

Let us be men who turn from sin to God. Let us be men who trust Him fully, and direct our attention to Him. Let us be men who are victorious because of God.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Know Better

"He struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the Lord. He struck down of all the people, 50,070 men, and the people mourned because the Lord had struck the people with a great slaughter. The men of Beth-shemesh said, 'Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom shall He go up from us?'" 1 Samuel 6.19-20

The hand of God has been against the Philistines, and so they have returned the ark to Israel along with a guilt offering. The people of Beth-shemesh, where the ark has returned to, make a burnt sacrifice to God, praising Him, for the return of the ark. But at some point during the worship someone gets the idea to open the ark and look inside. Maybe they were just innocently wanting to make sure the sacred items were still inside. Maybe they thought the Philistines could have made a replica and given them back a fake ark. But whatever the reason, they open the ark and look inside, and God struck down 50,070 men.

The people of Israel knew that the ark was a sacred and holy object, it was where God would descend and where His presence would dwell with the people. When it was in the Tabernacle it was behind a thick, heavy curtain, so that no one would see it except the high priest on the Day of Atonement each year. When they traveled the curtain was taken down and covered the ark so that it would not be seen by the people. They know this, and yet over 50,000 of them not only look at it, but look in it as well. God's judgment does not show favoritism.

The Philistines didn't know any better. To them it was spoil of war, their gods had helped them defeat Israel's God and so they did what they would have done with any other nations deity objects. God's hand is against them and they return the ark. When it gets back to Israel, they not only look at it, but they open it and look inside, which they knew better than to do, and so God kills those who look inside. His judgment is fair and equal. (Fortunately Indiana Jones remembered this story when he was captured by the Nazis)

Men, are you doing something that you know better than to do? God's justice will be done, and it will be stricter on those who know better. We are held to a higher standard because we know God and have, or at least claim to have, a personal relationship with Him.

Let our lives be lived with respect and obedience to God's standards of holiness. Let us value and protect the sacred. Let us be men who know better.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Provoking God

"Now the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon." -1 Samuel 5.1-2

The Philistines manned up, fought Israel, and emerged victorious with spoils of war. They captured the ark of the covenant and placed in the temple of their god, Dagon. They offer tribute to their god, but their actions provoke God. First the image of Dagon is found face down before the ark, the next day it is face down and destroyed. The Philistines move the ark to a new place, but the people are afflicted with tumors. It is moved again and the same thing happens. It is moved a third time, and again the people are afflicted.

The holiest item in Israel, the thing that symbolized the very presence of God, is being treated as a common deity object and presented to a pagan god as tribute. It is not revered in anyway by those who have captured it, and it brings the judgment of God upon the Philistines.

Several years ago I was in Turkey, a place that is full of churches that became mosques and are now museums. In these museums you can still see mosaics from when they were churches. The faces of Jesus, Mary, and the disciples are intact. When the Muslims captured the churches and converted them, they didn't destroy the images, they simply covered them with tapestries. At the end of Kingdom of Heaven Saladin, a Muslim leader, is enter Jerusalem after winning the city. There is a stone in the street with cross on it, and he walks around it, refusing to step on it. Shortly after there is a small golden cross laying on the ground, which he picks up and gently places on a table.

Men, what do you do with the sacred and holy? How do you treat the Bible, or the church? Do you treat them with reverence or as common items? Yes, the Bible might be a book, but the words that it contains are the very words of God. The church may just be a building, but it is the house of God, a place where His people gather together to worship Him. How do you treat them?

Let us never treat the sacred as common. Let us not provoke God's anger by shaming the most precious gifts He has given us.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Be Men and Fight

"Take courage and be men, O Philistines, or you will become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been slaves to you; therefore, be men and fight." -1 Samuel 4.9

The Philistines hear the cries from the Israelite camp, and they become discouraged and terrified. They know the stories form Egypt, how the God of Israel brought the plagues and parted the Red Sea. Now they fear that they are about to face this same God in battle and they are terrified, believing that certain death awaits them.

But in this we see the actions of men. They can surrender, save their lives, but live as slaves for the rest of them. Or they can go out as men, facing the end with courage, dying on the battlefield. This is not to say that the only way for a man to die as a man is on the battlefield against overwhelming odds. What it is saying is that a man looks fear and the strong possibility of loss in the face, and chooses to courageously charge the field anyway. A man chooses to fight the battles he knows are worth fighting, even if it likely to cost him his life. A man knows that there are certain things worth dying for, and he is willing to give his life for a worthy cause.

Men, where do you need to take courage? Where do you need to fight? Is it for your marriage? Is it for the hearts of your children? Maybe it's for your own heart and identity. The battle will be fierce, and there is no assurance of victory. You can choose to play it safe, surrender now before shedding any blood, but it will cost you dearly. Are you willing to sacrifice your family? Are you willing to sacrifice your strength and passion?

Let us be men who take courage in the face of fear. Let us be men and fight.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Trying to Force God

"The Philistines drew up in battle array to meet Israel. When the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines who killed about four thousand men on the battlefield. When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, 'Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us take to ourselves from Shiloh the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies.' So the people sent to Shiloh, and from there they carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts who sits above the cherubim; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. As the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth resounded." -1 Samuel 4.2-5

Israel goes out to fight the Philistines, but they are defeated, losing four thousand men in the battle. They are slightly confused by the result, to say the least. they are the people of God, and He is supposed to be with them in battle, giving them victory and delivering them from their enemies. Someone thinks back to the conquest of Canaan, Israel would carry the ark of the covenant before them into battle. It was a symbol of God's presence with them, and victory was assured. They go to Shiloh, take the ark, and return to camp where the men are ready to fight again.

Long story short, they lose the battle because God was not with them. They tried to force the hand of God by grabbing the holiest object they had, but it was just an object without the presence of God. Thousands of years later the Crusaders would do something similar with what they claimed was the cross of Christ. They would carry it before them, into battle, believing it would give them victory, but just as Israel would lose the ark because God was not with them, the crusaders lost the cross because God was not with them.

Men, we cannot force God to move on our behalf. No ritual or object is going to appease God and cause Him to look favorably on a cause or endeavor when the life that tries to manipulate Him is far from Him. Not only do we end up defeated, but we lose what we hold to be most sacred. We cannot force God to move on our behalf when our lives do not live according to His standards. We cannot expect an object to bring the presence of God into our lives, that's a form of idolatry.

Let us be men who live righteously before God. Let us humble seek Him in prayer. And may we accept whatever decisions He makes.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Teaching Others to Recognizing the Voice of God

"Then he ran to Eli and said, 'Here I am, for you called me.' But he said, 'I did not call, lie down again.' So he went and lay down. The Lord called yet again, 'Samuel!' So Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, 'Here I am, for you called me.' But he answered, 'I did not call, my son, lie down again.' Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord yet been revealed to him. So the Lord called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, 'Here I am, for you called me.' Then Eli discerned that the Lord was calling the boy. And Eli said to Samuel, 'Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening."' So Samuel went and lay down in his place.Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, for Your servant is listening.'" -1 Samuel 3.5-10

God has spoken, but Samuel has never heard the voice of God. He assumes Eli has summoned Him and so he goes to see what he needs. But it wasn't Eli and so he goes to lie down again. A second time his name is called, and a second time he goes to Eli, only to be sent away again. A third time it happens, and this time Eli realizing that God is trying to speak to Samuel. He instructs him as to what to do, and then sends him back to wait for God.

I work with a guy who is an agnostic. His attitude towards God is, "You leave me alone, I leave you alone." He even told me a few months ago, "If God does exist, he doesn't want anything to do with me." To that I responded, "He does, but maybe you just aren't listening." That sort of grabbed his attention, but that was as far was it went. I truly believe God is trying to speak to him, he just doesn't know the voice of God, and there are so many distractions that he isn't able to hear it.

Samuel was a boy, he didn't know God yet, and he had never heard Him speak. When he hears his name being called, he naturally assumes Eli needs him for something. Three times it happens, and three times Eli tells the boy that he has not summoned him. But the third time Eli begins to realize what is happening. The old priest understands that God is wanting to communicate with Samuel, and so he instructs him on what to do the next time.

Men, do you know the voice of God? Do you hear it, and recognize it, amid all of the distractions? If not, how could you teach others to recognize it? How can you instruct your children, and guide them into a deeper, more personal and intimate relationship with God, if you yourself don't have such a relationship? If you want your children to know God, you must know God. If you want them to know the voice of God, you must know the voice of God.

That is not to say that children can only find God if their parents lead them to Him. But parents were intended to lead their children in the worship of God, and to set their feet on the paths of righteousness. Without this, the road leading to God is much more difficult to find.

Let us be men who know the voice of God because we speak with Him regularly. Let us teach our children, both biological and spiritual, to recognize His voice.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Ready to Hear from God

"Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord before Eli. And word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. It happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well), and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was, that the Lord called Samuel; and he said, 'Here I am.'" 1 Samuel 3.1-4

Samuel is growing up and learning to minister in the temple. It was getting late, but the lamp had not yet gone out, and even though it was rare for God to speak, Samuel was lying down in the temple where the Ark of the Covenant was. The ark symbolized the presence of God among the people. The chest contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, and the lid, the Mercy Seat, was where God would descend and receive the blood offering presented by the high priest on the Day of Atonement. God had been largely silent, but Samuel is there, in the place where God would meet with man.

The people's infidelity, and the actions of Eli and his sons, have caused God's silence, but God has promised to raise up a faithful priest who will walk be for Him (1 Samuel 2.35). Samuel is growing up, and is finding favor with both God and men (1 Samuel 2.26). And here in this moment, alone and quiet, in the place where God would descend to meet with man, he is ready to hear from God.

Men, are we ready to hear from God? Are we alone, with all distractions removed, ready to meet with God? God may have been silent recently, but His silence is not the same as His absence. Words from God may have been rare, but they are not nonexistent. God will speak, but we must be listening. Are you?

Let us make time to clear away the chaos and distractions that life throws at us. Let us intentionally enter the presence of God. Let us be ready to hear from God.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Father Failure

"Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the Lord and the custom of the priests with the people. When any man was offering a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand. Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. Thus they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. Also, before they burned the fat, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, 'Give the priest meat for roasting, as he will not take boiled meat from you, only raw.' If the man said to him, 'They must surely burn the fat first, and then take as much as you desire,' then he would say, 'No, but you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force.' Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for the men despised the offering of the Lord." 1 Samuel 2.12-17

Eli the priest has two sons who serve as priests along with him. But the text tells us that they were worthless men who did not know God or the customs of the priest. They use their position to benefit themselves, hindering the people from proper worship. Their father failed to instruct them on who God was and how to serve before Him as priests. As they abused their power, he failed to discipline them for it, allowing them to drift further and further into sin.

Eli's failure is one that is seen over and over, father's failing to teach and correct their sons. It doesn't have to go to the extreme of allowing them to become abusive and threatening. It can be from simple neglect. I think Eli may have become very preoccupied with his work ministering before God, and neglected his sons. He valued the work of God over the work of parenting, not realizing that parenting is the work of God. He wasn't involved in his son's lives enough to teach them, and then when the problems arose he hadn't been involved enough to have them listen and submit to his correction.

Men, you may be following the example of Eli, and the example of Eli may be what you experienced growing up. You must break the cycle. If your dad wasn't involved in your life don't retreat from your own children because you aren't sure how to engage with them. Don't hide behind work, or a hobby, allowing it to have the moments that your children desperately crave and need. You are the only one that can be a father to your children. You are the only one who loves them enough to discipline them and correct them. If God has given you a family, take the role seriously because it is the most serious work you will ever engage in.

Let us sacrifice our careers for the sake of our children. Let us abandon a hobby for our children's well being. Let us be men who refuse to fail as fathers.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

God Worshiper

"Now this man would go up from his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the Lord there." 1 Samuel 1.3

1 Samuel begins by introducing us to Elkanah, a man who lived in the hill country of Ephraim. We are told that he had two wives, one who had children and one who did not. But we are also told that he would go from his city each year and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. The book of Judges described a time when people did what was right in their own eyes. Many worshiped idols and chased after the pagan religions, but this man finds it right to worship God. In the midst of the darkness, he has found the light and is pursuing it.

There was freedom and no shortage of options, giving people the ability to do whatever they wanted, just as there is today. People choose to live in a variety of ways, for a variety of gods, but the reality remains that there is only one true God. There is one true light shining in the darkness.

Men, are you following the light or being led astray by will-o-the-wisps? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will-o%27-the-wisp) Among all of the options have you chosen to serve and worship God? What is right in your own eyes?

Elkanah was a man living in a time without a king to point the people to God. It was left to each man to determine what was right, and so many chose what was false. Today, in our world of political correctness, we find ourselves in much the same place. There is no leader to point people to the truth, and so people are led astray after whatever feels good, or makes them happy. May this never be true of us.

Let us be God worshipers.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

God's Blessing

"So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her. And the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son... and to Salmon was born Boaz, and to Boaz, Obed, and to Obed was born Jesse, and to Jesse, David." -Ruth 4.13, 21-22

Boaz gathers the relative, as well as ten elders of the city so that whatever is decided it is all official. After discussing the specifics, the other relative declines to redeem Ruth as it would jeopardize his own inheritance. Before the elders of the city, Boaz buys the land of Elimelech and takes Ruth to be his wife.

From here the story ultimately leads to Christ. Boaz became the father of Obed who was the grandfather of David. It is from the line of David that the Messiah would come. God's hand and blessing cover the story. While Ruth is the title character, we also see Boaz as a man of honesty and integrity. These characteristics allowed him to be part of God's blessing the world.

Men, are you living in a way that is able to be blessed by God? Do you seek to provide for your family? Do you offer protection to those in need? Are honor and integrity traits that can be ascribed to you?

Let us seek to live in a way that is worthy to receive God's blessing.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Honor and Integrity

"Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning." Ruth 3.11-13

The book of Ruth has been a little difficult to blog through when it comes to masculinity. Yesterday's post was not easy, and I am struggling with today's as well. But even in a book that focuses on a woman, we can still learn about what God has called a man to be.

Boaz and Ruth clearly have some chemistry. She caught his eye the first time he saw her, and he has done everything he can to take care of her and Naomi. Now there is talk of marriage. Boaz is a close relative and can redeem Ruth, but there is a catch, he is not the closest living relative. Rather than simply overlooking the matter, Boaz seeks to do what is right. He will offer the closest relative the option of marrying Ruth. I'm sure he wasn't thrilled with the reality of the situation, he risked losing this woman to another man.

Boaz knew from the beginning that he was not the closest living relative, and yet he does so much for Ruth and Naomi, that really he didn't have to do. This other man should have been taking care of them, but wasn't. After all that Boaz had done, this other relative could come in and take everything he had invested in. Knowing this Boaz does it anyway. He shows honor in his care for Ruth and Naomi, and integrity in allowing the other relative to choose.

Men, if faced with a situation like this what would you do? Your boss gives you a project that will require a lot, and you know that you won't get the credit for it, do you do your best? You've fallen for a girl who doesn't like you that way, how does it affect your relationship? Do you live with honor, working hard, and being a good friend? Do you have integrity, giving your best effort and being the friend she needs?

Let us be men who do what is right. Let us set aside our own desires when we must and live with honor and integrity.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Kindness, Provision, Protection

"Then Boaz said to Ruth, 'Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but stay here with my maids. Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Indeed, I have commanded the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw.' ... At mealtime Boaz said to her, 'Come here, that you may eat of the bread and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.' So she sat beside the reapers; and he served her roasted grain, and she ate and was satisfied and had some left. When she rose to glean, Boaz commanded his servants, saying, 'Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not insult her. Also you shall purposely pull out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.'" -Ruth 2.8-9, 14-16

Boaz was a relative of Elimelech, and in the absence of his relative, he does what he can to take care of his widow. Ruth was a foreigner, a woman from Moab, and was not part of the chosen people, he could have rejected her and been considered a good Israelite. But he hears her story and he extends kindness to her. He provides for her and protects her. This is the role of a man. he sees her need and acts.

I will admit that there are times I am skeptical about the genuineness of people's needs. Today we live in a world where many want to live off of others, and their laziness has made it much harder for those who really do need help. But are we willing to offer help and protection to those who need it? Do we show kindness to those society would encourage us to ignore.

Men, do you show kindness? Do you provide assistance and protection for those who are in need of it? Do you offer your service without any ulterior motive or thought of being paid back? Boaz does all of this for Ruth because of what she has done for Naomi.

Let us be men of kindness. Let us use our strength to offer aid to those who need it. Let us protect others and keep them from harm.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Provider

"Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. Now they entered the land of Moab and remained there." -Ruth 1.1-2.

During the time of the Judges there is a famine in the Promised Land. The people have strayed from God and as such have removed themselves from his blessing. There is a man named Elimelech who had a family in Bethlehem. In order to provide for them during the famine he takes his family and goes to the neighboring Moab.

A man must provide for his family, that is part of the responsibility that God entrusts a man with when he is given a family. This is not to say that men are the only ones who can provide, and that women are unable to or should not, the book of Ruth shows that it is not the case. But a man who has been blessed with a family, has the responsibility to provide for that family. Elimelech does what he must, and moves his family to a new place, hoping to take care of them there.

Sometimes providing means doing something undesirable. It might mean working outside of your passion and calling for a time. However, your greatest calling is to take care of your family. Only you can be a husband to your wife and a father to your children. What you do for a living is not what defines you. You make your living with your job, but your job is not essentially who you are.

Men, are you providing? Are you doing whatever you can to take care of your family? You might be out of work, but doing everything you can to find a job is doing what you are able to provide. If God has blessed you with a family, take care of them, don't live selfishly, refusing to work because you can't do what you want.

When I was single I was able to be somewhat picky about my job. I was the only one I was responsible for, and so I had the luxury of choosing. When I got married, that luxury decreased, and as our family grows it will probably disappear. A man cannot afford to live selfishly, least of all when he has a family that God has entrusted to his care.

Let us be men who take our responsibility seriously. Let us be men who provide.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

The Example

"In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." -Judges 21.25

This is the final verse in the book of Judges. The people are leaderless. There is no one to teach them about God or His standards. There is no one to model a life that is passionately devoted to loving and serving God. With no example, the people are left to their own decisions and moral standards. Without godly leadership the people do whatever they deem to be right.

The book of Judges shows a cycle of Israel turning from God, being oppressed, being delivered by God's champion, worshiping God faithfully again, and then repeating the cycle. Without a leader who is committed to setting an example, and training those who follow him to do the same, the cycle is destined to continue.

Men, we have the responsibility of knowing God, and then setting an example for others to follow. We must know God and His standards. Those standards must be a priority in our lives, and we must live by them. But simply living by them isn't enough, we must model them yes, but we must also train those who follow us to know God and to live by His standards. We must encourage a love and passion for God in those who come after us. If we don't then we will see the cycle of Judges return.

Let us be men who live the example. Let us be men who train and encourage others to live passionately for God. Let us rise up and be kings who call others to do what is right.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

The Cost of the Right Thing

"So the sons of Israel arose in the morning and camped against Gibeah. The men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin, and the men of Israel arrayed for battle against them at Gibeah. Then the sons of Benjamin came out of Gibeah and felled to the ground on that day 22,000 men of Israel. But the people, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves and arrayed for battle again in the place where they had arrayed themselves the first day. The sons of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until evening, and inquired of the Lord, saying, 'Shall we again draw near for battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin?' And the Lord said, 'Go up against him.' Then the sons of Israel came against the sons of Benjamin the second day. Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah the second day and felled to the ground again 18,000 men of the sons of Israel; all these drew the sword." -Judges 20.19-25

Israel has taken heed of the Levite's message, and 400,000 men from the other tribes came out to seek justice and punish the wickedness. They go down to to Gibeah and ask that the men who have committed this shameful act be handed over and killed. Benjamin refuses and the tribe prepares for battle against the other tribes. The odds seem to be heavily against them, they only have 26,000 men, but of these there are 700 left handed slingsmen who are expert marksmen.

The first two days of battle, Benjamin takes the day, they kill 40,000 men. After the first defeat the seek God, wondering if they should try again. He tells them to and they do, only to be defeated again. After the second day they again turn to God. He tells them to go up against them again, and that this time He will give them into their hands.

The third day of battle begins, Israel looses some men, but in the end only about 1,000 warriors of Benjamin are left. God leads the side of justice to victory, but it is a costly, and hard won victory. They sought to do what was right, it was not easy, but they endured, and justice won.

Men, doing the right thing, standing up to sin and injustice, is not easy. Twice Israel was greatly defeated, but the endured and eventually God gave them victory. If we seek to do the right thing, we will not go unopposed. It will not be a short and clean fight. There will be great losses and hardships that must be endured, there is a cost to doing the right thing.

Let us be willing to pay that cost. Let us see the essential need for justice and do whatever we must to see it carried out. Let us be men who are willing to die for what is right.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Wake Up

"All who saw it said, 'Nothing like this has ever happened or been seen from the day when the sons of Israel came up from the land of Egypt to this day. Consider it, take counsel and speak up!" -Judges 19.30

Israel has sunk to a new low. A Levite has journeyed from the hill country of Ephraim to Bethlehem to retrieve his concubine. On the way back he stops in Gibeah, a town of Benjamin to stay for the night. His servant tried to persuade him to stay in Jebus, Jerusalem still under control of the Jebusites, but he ops for a town belonging to Israel.

They arrive, but no one will take them in until an old man offers them hospitality. He washes the feet and provides for all their needs, welcoming them into his home. Sometime during the night men from the city come and demand that the Levite be given over to them. In the middle east if a guest enters your house you are to protect them, and so he refuses to hand the man over, but does given them his concubine. She is raped and abused all night, and in the morning falls down dead outside the door of the house. The Levite returns home, cuts her into twelve pieces and sends a piece to each of the tribes of Israel to which verse thirty is the response.

The only other record of an act like this is found in Genesis 19, where two angels come into Lot's house and the men of the city demand that they be handed over. No women are abused that night, but shortly after the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed for their wickedness. Never has anything like this taken place in Israel, but without a king to enforce God's standards of righteous holiness, the people have sunk to the same level as the pagan nations the used to inhabit the land.

Seeing the pieces of the concubine calls Israel to look at what they have become as a people. They are not acting like God's set apart people who are meant to share Him with the world, instead they are doing the same things that pagan cities God destroyed did. There is the call to wake up to the situation and do something about it.

Men, when you look at the world and the church, do you see any similarities? Do the Christians you know look more like Jesus or the world? What about your life?

Over time, and without an example, Israel wandered further and further from God. The events of Judges 19 is a call for Israel to wake up to the situation and begin to do something about it. We must do the same.

Let us wake up to the reality of the world and the church. Let us begin to call people to become more like Christ.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Sin Spreads

"The sons of Dan set up for themselves the graven image; and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land. So they set up for themselves Micah’s graven image which he had made, all the time that the house of God was at Shiloh." -Judges 18.30-31

One man's willingness to compromise leads many astray. The sons of Dan take possession of the land they found, and once they are settled they set up the idols they took from Micah. To further deviate from the truth, now there are members of the tribe of Dan serving as priests, the role that the Levites were designated for. What stated out as a single Levite serving as a families priest of idol worship has turned into an entire tribe being absorbed by idol worship and setting up their own priesthood.

The worst part of all of this is that the house of God is in Shiloh, a place not far from where all of these events started. Micah's house was in the hill country of Ephraim, so is Shiloh. Maybe that is where the Levite was originally headed but became sidetracked by Micah's offer. The of Dan would have been near Shiloh as they searched for a place to settle and could have turned there to seek the blessing of God, but instead they find the Levite at Micah's house and seek it from him. As the tribe moves to war they also would have been near Shiloh, and yet they turn aside to steal idols, not seek God.

The sin of one man has led to the sin of an entire tribe. This sin does not last a generation, or until the Levites' death, but it lasts until 722 BC when Assyria captures the northern tribes of Israel. This goes on for hundreds of years. One man's choice to make an idol and employ a Levite brings an entire tribe to idol worship. One man's choice to compromise and serve as the priest for idol worship causes countless families to be led astray and serve an idol.

Men, sin spreads. One decision, one compromise, can have far reaching effects. We have the choice of God or not God, one brings life and the other brings destruction. Choosing to not serve God can have lasting effects that cause more suffering than you could have ever thought possible. But choosing God will bring life that reaches farther than the suffering.

We each face a choice, go to Shiloh or the house of Micah. Seek the truth or indulge in a lie. We have the responsibility to lead our families, and we will lead them closer to God, or away from Him. We can lead them to Shiloh, the place where true worship of God took place, or to Micah's house were idol worship happens. Where will you go?

Let us be men who lead to God. Let us refuse to compromise and let us do what we can to keep sin from spreading.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

The Desire for Prestige

"When these went into Micah’s house and took the graven image, the ephod and household idols and the molten image, the priest said to them, 'What are you doing?' They said to him, 'Be silent, put your hand over your mouth and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?' The priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod and household idols and the graven image and went among the people." -Judges 18.18-20

The Danites are seeking an inheritance of land and so they send five men out to find a place. These men come to the house of Micah and enquirer of the Levite serving as his priest if God is with them, when he gives them a blessing they move on. After finding a place that will suit the needs of the tribe they return and prepare the men of war for battle. As they march to take the piece of ground that they have decided on they stop at the house of Micah and take the idols he has made. When the Levite priest tries to stop them they offer him the position of priest of their entire tribe. His heart is glad because this means a name for himself, and so he takes the objects of worship Micah has made and goes with the Danites.

The Levite is simply seeking his own prestige and advancement. He agrees to serve as Micah's priest for the payment, and now he takes the position offered to him by the Danites because it's a nice promotion. He is seeking to advance himself, not God, and his desire for prestige causes a tribe to sin by idolatry.

Men, do you desire to advance yourself? Are you willing to do whatever you have to in order to get that next promotion? Are you seeking to build a name and reputation for yourself? What is the cost? What does your career advancement mean to your family? What does it mean to your spiritual life? What does it mean to your health?

There is nothing wrong with doing well in your career. There is nothing wrong with working hard and advancing because of hard, honest work. But when the desire for the promotion becomes what you live for, and it takes away from the things that are really important, you have missed the point. You may be making sacrifices that you can't afford to make, and the end result is not worth what it will cost you to get there.

The Levite had the responsibility to lead the people to God, but for comfortable compensation he agrees to serve as a families personal priest. That first compromise makes the next one that much easier. Since he is already living for himself, the opportunity to advance himself by becoming the priest of an idol for an entire tribe is an amazing opportunity and he jumps at it.

The desire for personal prestige will cost us what we can't afford to lose, but so many pay it without any hesitation.

Let us never live for our own advancement. Let us work hard, seeking to do our best and advance as we are able, but may we never compromise and sacrifice what we cannot afford to lose.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Result of Compromise

"So Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in the house of Micah. Then Micah said, Now I know that the Lord will prosper me, seeing I have a Levite as priest.'" -Judges 17.12-13

There is no king in Israel so everyone is doing whatever they think is right. Micah has made and idol, built a shrine to worship it, and now has gotten a Levite to serve as his personal priest. In his mind everything is about to go well for Him. The Levites were set apart to serve as priests, and now that he has one he has a direct line to God. He believes God is going to bless his sin.

This is what happens when there is no godly leadership. When people don't have a clear understanding of who God is or what He requires, people feel that doing something a certain way, saying the right words, or practicing the right rituals will gain favor with God. It is so easy for this to be twisted into something like idol worship. Without godly leadership compromise happens, and compromise leads to ignorance about what is really true.

Men, how have you seen this unfold in the world around you? The more relative the world becomes, the more opportunities there are to compromise. The more compromise happens the more ignorant we become of what is true. Judges 17 tells the story of a mother who has an idol made in the name of God. A Levite serves as a priest for this idol, and the owner believes that God will bless him for it. Change the specifics and you have America in 2015. There is a lot that I could get into here but I won't.

We need godly leadership. We need integrity. Without those two things people live in sin and believe God will bless it. Without correction this mindset continues to be passed down, leading people further away from God.

Let us work to reverse the pattern. Let us rise up as godly leaders who live with integrity. Let us live the standards of God and guide others to do the same. May we refuse to compromise and get caught up in the destructive cycle.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Compromise

"Micah said to him, 'Where do you come from?' And he said to him, 'I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to stay wherever I may find a place.' Micah then said to him, 'Dwell with me and be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, a suit of clothes, and your maintenance.' So the Levite went in. The Levite agreed to live with the man, and the young man became to him like one of his sons." -Judges 17.9-11

Back story, Micah stole silver from his mother, and upon returning if she decides to have part of it made into an idol, in the name of God. Micah takes the idol and makes a shrine for it, even setting one of his sons aside to serve as a priest. There is a Levite from Bethlehem that has decided to venture from home and see where he can make it. He arrives at the house of Micah and the two begin to converse about an arrangement. Micah invites the Levite to stay with him, all expenses paid as well as a salary, if he will serve as his personal priest. The Levite agrees, and goes to work leading a family in idol worship.

The job of the Levites was to serve as priests before God. They were to serve as the people's representatives in offering sacrifices to God. They were to point people to the objective truth that God had given. But this Levite allows himself to be bought off and leads a family in the worship of an idol because it pays the bills.

Men, we live in a world where compromise is easy. Everyday we face opportunities that test our integrity. Do we choose to focus on fulfilling our physical needs and desires, or do we stand up for what we know to be right?

Let us be men who refuse to compromise. Let us stand firmly for the truth no matter what it costs us. Let us point others to God.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

The Need for Leadership

"In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes." -Judges 17.6

This verse says it all, there was no king, no leader, in Israel, and so every man did what was right to him. There was no regard for God's laws or standards, everything became relative to the individual. There is a need for godly leadership in Israel. They need someone who is committed to God, who knows and communicates with God, who will point them to God's standards.

There is a need for strong, godly leadership. If there is no one to proclaim the truths of God, if there is no one to instruct people in His ways, the people are left to their own desires. With no one to provide guidance into objective truth, relativism is all that is left. If people aren't aware of the standards and absolutes of God, then all they can do is follow what seems right to them.

Men, this world is in desperate need of godly leadership. Relativism is everywhere, and there are attempts to present sin as objective truth. We must rise up and proclaim the truths of God. We must live the righteous truth of God and guide others towards it as well. This world needs leaders, and we have been created by God to provide the leadership that the world is so desperate for.

Let us rise up as godly leaders. Let us point the world towards truth.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

What If

"Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down, took him, brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. Thus he had judged Israel twenty years." -Judges 16.31

The life of Samson was short and tragic. If you think about it, this is the story of untapped potential. Samson did great things, but most of them were the result of a desire for personal vengeance. Samson had been given great strength, and yet most of the time we find him living for his own desires. He could have destroyed the Philistines, and while he kills thousands of them in life and with his death, they survive and rise to oppress Israel again.

Samson seems to be a one man show. He kills Philistines when they kill his wife or when they capture him, but other than that he doesn't seem to be too focused on defeating them. He doesn't unite the tribes of Israel and lead them in battle against their enemy. Instead he does his own thing, and his own people even hand him over to the Philistines.

What if Samson had been focused and fully committed to God? What if Samson had not been side tracked by his desires? What if Samson had guarded his heart? What if Samson had been like other judges of Israel?

Men, will "what if" be a question you ask yourself at the end of your life? Will "what if" be a question asked at your funeral? Some of you have been blessed with so much, and yet you'll fail to live up to the potential you have. Many will fail because they never even try.

Teddy Roosevelt once said, "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Let us be men who are actually in the arena. Let us be men who dare greatly. Let us be men who strive to reach our fullest potential. Let us never wonder "what if".

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

When We Call on God

"However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it was shaved off... Then Samson called to the Lord and said, 'O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.' Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and braced himself against them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left. And Samson said, 'Let me die with the Philistines!' And he bent with all his might so that the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed in his life." -Judges 16.22, 28-30

Samson has made his share of mistakes. He has broken his Nazirite vow on multiple occasions, slept with a prostitute, and given away the secret of his strength because a woman annoyed him enough for it. He has been captured by his enemies, been blinded by them, and put to hard labor in their prison. Now the Philistines seek to further humiliate him by having him come and entertain them as they celebrate his capture in the temple of Dagon.

Samson was born to a barren mother in order to save Israel from the Philistines. All throughout his life he has been doing that, even killing 1,000 of them at one time. His mistakes have not changed the reason of his birth and here, as he calls on God again, he is used to fulfill the purpose of his birth. God strengthens Samson one last time, and Samson destroys the pagan temple as well as the 3,000 people that are inside. He kills more with his death than he did in life.

God did not forget about Samson. When Samson lived in a way that puled him away from God, the Spirit of God was not on him to empower him to deliver Israel; but when Samson called on God, seeking to fulfill his purpose, God was with him.

Men, we have all been born for a purpose. God did not make us accidentally, you are not a mistake. But the way you choose to live will determine if you are able to fulfill your purpose. God will not force you to follow His plan, and if you choose to live contrary to His will He will let you, but His presence will not be with you. But if you call on Him, turning back to Him, then God will empower you to fulfill your purpose.

Let us be men who call on God, and not as a last resort. Let us be men who live passionately for Him.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Guard Your Heart

"It came about when she pressed him daily with her words and urged him, that his soul was annoyed to death. So he told her all that was in his heart and said to her, 'A razor has never come on my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, then my strength will leave me and I will become weak and be like any other man.' When Delilah saw that he had told her all that was in his heart, she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, 'Come up once more, for he has told me all that is in his heart.' Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hands. She made him sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his hair. Then she began to afflict him, and his strength left him. She said, 'The Philistines are upon you, Samson!' And he awoke from his sleep and said, 'I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.' But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him. Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison." -Judges 16.16-21

Samson fell for Delilah, and made a mistake many men make. The secret to Samson's strength is known only to himself and his parents. The Philistines have been after him for years, but each time they have come close they are defeated because of his strength. But now that he has fallen for Delilah they try again, offering her thousands of pieces of silver if she can learn the secret of his strength.

Three times he lies to her, but then she begins to ask him daily, and the text says his soul was annoyed to death. Finally, he gives in. He is worn out of resisting and he tells her everything. She takes the information and uses it to destroy him. Samson failed to guard his heart, and poured it all out to a woman who betrayed him.

There is so much that can be said here, but the most crucial thing is that we need to guard our hearts. I am not a very open person. I have had some past experiences where I've opened up and shared with people only to be let down (betrayed seems like a very strong word, but at times it would be very accurate) and those experiences have led me to be the way I am. I don't let many people get close to me, and even when I do it takes a long time, and even then I'm still guarded.

This is something I am working on, vulnerability is important, essential even, but like everything, it has its context. Being pestered constantly is no reason to spill your deepest fears or secrets. Delilah was not someone Samson should have trusted his heart to. She took it and sold it to the highest bidder. His eyes were gouged out and he was chained to grindstone in a prison, becoming an object of ridicule.

Men, you must guard your hearts. That is where your strength lies, and if you carelessly give it away, it will bring about your undoing. There are people your heart is safe with. There are people that you can be completely open and honest with. There are people that you can enjoy deep intimacy with. But these will be people who have gained your trust and earned that closeness with you, not annoyed it out of you.

Let us be men who guard our hearts, but may we never be men who are so guarded that we never let anyone get close to us. Let us learn to be vulnerable with the right people.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Easier the Second Time

"When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out and took it and killed a thousand men with it." -Judges 15.14-15

A lot has happened, Samson has been married, lost a bet, had his wife given to someone else, burned the Philistines fields, and then killed many of them because the killed his wife. At this point he withdraw to Etam but when the Philistines come after him 3,000 men from Judah come to seize him and hand him over. He makes them swear that they won't kill him personally, and when they tell him that they will not, he allows himself to be bound and given to the Philistines.

Along the way they Philistines rejoice in their capture, but the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Samson in a mighty way. He breaks the ropes, and being greatly outnumbered, looks around for something to fight with. The first thing he finds is a donkey skeleton; he grabs the jaw bone and proceeds to kill 1,000 men with it.

Think about what just happened, Samson beat 1,000 armed men with nothing more than an old bone. It's an impressive feat and a nice resume booster for anyone seeking to be a hero, but there is an issue. Once again Samson has broken his vow and touched a dead body. After all, that's what a skeleton is. It's easier to do something the second time.

I look at this story and I think of how else it might have played out. I find it hard to believe that the only thing available was a donkey skeleton. I have been to Israel twice, and I can tell you from personal experience that there are rocks everywhere. The Jews jokingly say that when God created the earth He had two handfuls of rocks to distribute allover the world, but when He got to Israel He tripped and dropped one handful. I'm sure he had his choice of rocks, but instead he grabs a jawbone. Personally, I probably would have picked the bone over a rock too since the bow provides a better handle, but I'm not under a Nazirite vow. The second option I see is Samson killing the closest Philistine with his bare hands, no problem for the guy who killed a lion, and taking his weapons and unleashing the slaughter.

Either scenario keeps him from breaking his vow, but that isn't what happens. Samson grabs the first thing that is convenient, without thinking twice, and goes to work. It's easier to break your vow the second time.

Men, the more you compromise the easier it becomes. The second lie is easier to tell. The second time you cheat someone is easier than the first. The more it continues, the easier it gets, the more natural and instinctual it becomes.

Samson grabbed a jawbone in an instant, probably not even realizing what he was doing. It was there and he needed a weapon. But had he never touched the dead lion would he have been more aware and not touched the dead donkey?

Let us be men of integrity. Let us carefully guard our hearts and vows so that we don't compromise them. Let us be men who never let their be a second time.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Past Victories

"When he returned later to take her, he turned aside to look at the carcass of the lion; and behold, a swarm of bees and honey were in the body of the lion. So he scraped the honey into his hands and went on, eating as he went. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them and they ate it; but he did not tell them that he had scraped the honey out of the body of the lion." -Judges 14.8-9

Time has passed since the battle with the lion that Samson has never mentioned. He is returning to Timnah to marry the Philistine woman and on the way there he makes a detour to look at the lion's corpse. Inside the body a swarm of bees has made a home and Samson scraps honey out of it, breaking part of his Nazirite vow, to never touch a dead body. He is focused on the past, which pulls his attention from the present and causes him to fall.

When we are so focused on the glory days we lose sight of the moment. Samson was drawn to the lion's body, and because of it he ended up breaking his vow.

Men, do you live in the past? Are you still focused on the glory days of the past? The high school championship you won. The way your church grew forty years ago. What are you missing out on now? What is God wanting to do in your life that He can't because you aren't living in the moment? What is God trying to protect your from that you'll fall into because you're not looking ahead?

Let us not fall into the same trap Samson did. Let us be strengthened by the past victories, but may we never be led astray by them.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Sharing Victory

"Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came as far as the vineyards of Timnah; and behold, a young lion came roaring toward him. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, so that he tore him as one tears a young goat though he had nothing in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done." -Judges 14.5-6

Samson is going to Timnah and he is attacked by a lion. He has no weapon, not even a walking stick, but it doesn't matter. The Spirit of the Lord comes mightily upon him and he rips the lion apart with his bare hands. This is the first of three Biblical accounts I am aware of where men kill lions. One of them does it to rescue a sheep. One of them does it, apparently, just to see if he can in order to prove himself. Samson does it because he is attacked.

To kill a lion in Biblical times was no small feat. Again, I am only aware of three recorded instances where it happens. With the other two it is something that they share, it became sort of a rite of passage. But Samson keeps it to himself, he never tells anyone, not even his parents. This could be taken as a sign of humility, but I don't think that's the point.

Had Samson shared what had happened with his parents, they could have helped him to understand the reason for his birth. He had been born to deliver Israel, and now God has showed him the strength he has been given to accomplish the task. Had Samson shared his victory with those closest to him, it could have helped guide him towards his calling, but he keeps it to himself, and it becomes a snare to him.

Men, when you have victories what do you do with them? When your strength is unexpectedly challenged and you prevail what do you do? I don't think we should brag about it, flaunting it for the world to see. However, I do believe we need to share it with those closest to us. I believe the battles we fight help us to better understand who we are and what we are destined for.

It was no small feat to kill a lion, and the victories we have over the enemy, a roaring lion (1 Peter 5.8) are no small feat either. Don't brag about it, but don't keep it to yourself. Share your victories with those closes to you, seek their input and guidance. Allow your lion kills to be a rite of passage for you.

Let us be men who share our victories. Let us be men who are guided by them.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Of the Lord

"Then Samson went down to Timnah and saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines. So he came back and told his father and mother, 'I saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, get her for me as a wife.' Then his father and his mother said to him, 'Is there no woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?' But Samson said to his father, 'Get her for me, for she looks good to me.' However, his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord, for He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. Now at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel." -Judges 14.1-5

Samson was born and grew in the blessing of the Lord. The Spirit of God was moving upon Him and the time had come for Samson to begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. He travels to Timnah and a young woman catches his eye. He is smitten with her and requests that his parents get her for him as a wife.

Initially they are less than thrilled with his choice. After all she is a Philistine. Her people are oppressing Israel, and they are outside of the covenant. But they do not realize that all of this is the work of God. God is working to deliver Israel from the Philistines through Samson, and all of this is part of His plan.

Men, sometimes God's will is going to seem opposite of our desires. Sometimes it is going to seem flat out crazy. Do you dismiss it without a second thought? Or do you take the time and seek God's direction? If your child came to you with something that you thought wasn't the best decision, what would you do? Would you take the time and pray through the decision with them, or immediately shut it down?

I am not saying that there are things you should not immediately put a stop to. There are decisions that are nothing but harmful that we will need to intervene with, but we cannot immediately rule out everything without seeking God's guidance. The example that keeps coming to mind is an example Francis Chan gives in Forgotten God. He shares a story about a teenage girl who works year round and three jobs in the summer to sponsor 14 children. At about $30 each a month that comes out to $420 a month and $5,040 a year. That's a lot for a high school student.

If your child came to you with a suggestion of something like that, what would you do?

Let us be men who seek the will of God in all situations. Let us discern what is of the Lord.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor