God's Design for MenSample

Loyal Men

If you’ve never seen the miniseries Band of Brothers, you really should.

It’s the story of Easy Company, an American army unit that fought in Europe during WWII. The series tells the story of dangers, daring, and death, and how tightly knit this group of men became as they bravely faced the horrors of war by each other’s sides.

The series is for everyone, but men in particular seem to love it. Something in us admires the courage and bravery, to be sure, but also the deep camaraderie. What man wouldn’t want to be part of a close-knit group of guys who you could trust with anything, including your own life in the face of death?

That story is decades old, but in our time, there is much talk about the male “loneliness epidemic,” where men everywhere feel disconnected and isolated, and very few have any close friends at all, let alone an entire “band of brothers.”

But today’s verse talks about the benefit of the “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 NIV).

Every culture has understood that men need other men for companionship, encouragement, sharpening, and support. Biblical examples like David and Jonathan or Paul and Silas show what close male friendship can look like, as men bless and care for one another, even in the face of difficulty and danger.

Jesus, the perfect Man, had His own “band of brothers” in His disciples. They lived life together, doing everything together, and when Jesus faced despair at the Garden of Gethsemane, He asked for some of His brothers to walk with Him through it (Matthew 26:36-38). In His hardest moment, He wanted His boys with Him, and all men want the same.

Men are at their best when connected with other brothers they trust. Life has challenges for guys that even a wife may have trouble understanding, but when men can be open with other men, spurring each other towards righteousness, the benefits overflow to all areas of life.

God’s design for men is that we would have our own “band of brothers,” faithful and loyal friends we can trust with our hopes, dreams, and secrets, leaning on them and they on us as we encourage one another towards goodness and support one another through whatever life throws at us.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the men around me. Make me a faithful brother to them, and make them faithful brothers to me. Use these loyal friendships to make us better men. Amen.

Reflection: Where is there a man or men in your life with whom you could connect this week? Set up a coffee or hangout night with someone just to get together!