Prayer and Instruction

"Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way." -1 Samuel 12.23

In the midst of reminding the people of God's greatness, Samuel inserts this statement. He tells them that in spite of their evil, because of who God is, He will still be present with them if they will fully pursue Him. Samuel then tells them that he will not sin against God by no longer praying for the people. It is his role as God's chosen prophet to act as a mediator between God and the people. He does not have the authority to cease doing the job he has been given to do.

In addition to his prayers on their behalf, he will also teach them to follow God, living in a good and right way. He has opened his own life up to their scrutiny because he has lived in a way that warrants none to be given. Now he tells them that he will teach them to live the same way. He offers his prayers on their behalf because he has a relationship with God and his prayers are heard. He tells them he will instruct them to live holy and righteous lives, and he is able to because he has lived a holy and righteous life. He has lived well, and he offers what he has gained from that life for the benefit of the people.

Men, this is how it is meant to be. This is the way God intended it, a life well lived that is then invested into others so that their lives may be lived well. This is how the masculine journey is intended to unfold. Along the way we offer prayers on behalf of others. This is part of the role that God has given to men.

Let us be men who live well. Let us be men who offer our prayers and instruction.

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

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Because of Who He is

"Samuel said to the people, 'Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile. For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself... Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you." -1 Samuel 12.20-22, 24

The people have done evil in the sight of God. Samuel has opened his life up for inspection so that he can show them how they have failed to live righteously before God. The people have demanded a human king, and in so doing have rejected God as their king. They come to realize their sin, but Samuel assures them that God will not abandon His people because of who He is.

The people, though they now have a king, must still be faithful to God. Though they have a king to rule over them, God is still in charge. They are to follow Him diligently, serving Him with all their hearts. If they do not, they will pursue futile things that bring no lasting benefit or satisfaction. God will not abandon those who follow Him because of His name. Those who seek Him are His people, and God is pleased to make them his people. He will not discredit His name, a name of holiness and righteousness, but abandoning those He has promised to protect and provide for.

With this promise of God's presence is the repeated command, issued to the people since the time of Moses, fear the Lord and serve Him with all your heart. There is the call to think of everything that God has done if they need a reason to follow Him. Because of who God is, He will not abandon or forsake His people. It is not because they people are righteous, but because God is.

Men, do you faithfully serve God, or have you turned aside to futile things? Have you forsaken the pursuit of righteousness in pursuit of the next promotion? Have you given up attaining holiness in order to obtain material possessions? Do you seek to advance yourself in the world, or to grow into Christlikeness? It is because of who God is that the holy option is possible. It is because of who God is that you can forsake selfish living and seek holiness. Consider all that God has done and see if serving Him is not the best option.

Let us be men who live for the glory of God. Let us be men who live in humble gratitude for all that God has done. Let us be men who consider the great things God has done.

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

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

A Righteous Life

"Here I am; bear witness against me before the Lord and His anointed. Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? I will restore it to you." -1 Samuel 12.3

Saul has been anointed king and has begun to do what kings do. Now Samuel addresses Israel and opens his life for their judgment. He asks if he has stolen any animal or cheated anyone. He asks if he has oppressed anyone or taken a bribe and distorted justice. He says that if he has then he will make it right, restoring what has been lost. He opens his life up to scrutiny because he knows he has lived righteously. No one can place any blame on him, and he is willing to open himself up to that because he knows there is nothing that could be pinned on him.

Men, what if your life looked like that? Are you willing to open yourself up to public scrutiny as Samuel did? What accusations would be brought against you? As men, and as leaders, it is important that we live righteous lives, that are willing to be opened to the public for inspection. A life that is willing to be opened shows that it has nothing to hide, that it is not ashamed, and that it has striven to live with justice and righteousness.

Let us be men who live righteous lives. Let us be willing to open ourselves up for inspection because we know nothing can be found.

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

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor