Posted
by Sir Joshua David
I read this devotional today and thought, WOW this is so true for most of today's generation of Christian men. I also just happened to read 1 Peter earlier on the day (wasn't part of my regular reading plan), really neat how God works things out!
The Silence of Adam: The Call Pt. 2
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Previously we looked at what happens to a culture when men cease to speak the word of God: manly heroism dies. Why is this so prevalent today? It’s less trouble to remain aloof. Acting manly can be awkward, embarrassing, and invite conflict. So for the sake of peace men sacrifice their souls.
Men who understand their role and practice manliness are not afraid to speak or act when they see something that is contrary to the Word. Sadly this is so seldom seen that the next generation is growing up without a sense of manliness. In 2nd Peter 1 the Apostle writes that we are to add to our faith, virtue. The word virtue carries the idea of manly valor. Manly valor comes as a result of the practice of faith. It takes risk/faith to develop manliness. Furthermore, the word “add” means to add at one’s own expense; there is no gain without pain.
This idea of manly valor is played out for us in 1 Samuel 3, where we find the boy Samuel being raised by the fat and faithless priest, Eli. Think about it. How did Samuel become the powerful man that we read about with only Eli and his sons as “mentors”?
Let’s look closely at his life. The text reads that Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. That speaks volumes! Do you see the connection? The transition from boyhood to manhood is intricately linked to knowing God personally and his Word intimately. Though men long to live heroic lives, their understanding of heroism is distorted without God at the center.
Most men picture riding in on a white horse as the hero, like Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings. But as we learned from Samuel, true heroism begins with one's response to God’s call:Speak LORD, for your servant hears. If we’re going to live heroic lives, it begins by serving, which is always costly and never convenient. This is what separates boys from men.
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Making ready a people prepared for the Lord,
Mark Hamby
From the "Lamplighter Moment" email devotional. |
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This entry was posted
on 23 January 2014
at Thursday, January 23, 2014
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