God's Design for Menნიმუში

Obedient Men

Most little boys don’t like being told what to do. And if we’re honest, some grown men never actually grow out of that.

When my son was born, I was surprised at how easily the little guy would throw down when he didn’t want to do something, and my mom told me I was exactly the same at his age. It’s a fascinating picture of our fallen nature that obedience doesn’t come naturally to us and must be taught, even from the earliest of ages.

In today’s verse, King David is dying and giving his final charge to his son, Solomon, who will take over the throne. Several key phrases speak to every guy out there: be strong, “act like a man,” and obey the LORD (1 Kings 2:2-3 NIV).

God is good, and because He is good, He wants good for us.

There are actions and attitudes men can adopt that aren’t good, which the Bible calls “sin.” God puts boundary lines in place to keep us from sin, not because He is controlling, but because His goodness desires to keep us safe from harm.

Part of our fallen masculinity does not like being told what to do or what we can’t do, but keeping kids from harm is something that every good dad does, including our heavenly Father, who is most certainly a good dad. Obedience is when we find God’s good way and walk in it, trusting that it is good and good for us.

Jesus, the perfect Man, lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father and calls us to follow His perfect example (Matthew 5:48). Although we can’t match His perfection, we can be inspired by and imitate the life He modeled for men that takes Scripture seriously, follows the Lord’s commands, and loves God and others well.

Men are at their best when, like David’s charge to Solomon, they are strong, act like men, and obey God’s Word. Good men are the ones who find God’s good way and live in obedience to it.

God’s design for men is that we walk with Him and in His ways, choosing goodness over evil and the right way over the wrong, learning His commandments and devoting ourselves to them.

Prayer: Father, thank You that Your way is good and is meant for my good. I don’t always want to follow it, but I believe it is always the right way. Help me to stay on Your path and joyfully do what is right. Amen.

Reflection: Is there any part of your life you know is in disobedience right now? Why do you think that is? What would it take to shift that part of your life back towards obedience?