Daily Readings: 1 Kings 2 and Psalm 102
David’s charge to his son, Solomon, is fascinating. What comes to mind first when you read his words: “So be strong, act like a man…”? What does it mean in our era and in our culture to act like a man? Does it mean to work hard at a career … to be a good sportsman (or sports fan) … to take a lead in society … to protect the vulnerable from abuse? There will be many very valid answers to the question (and some silly ones, no doubt). But David’s emphasis is quite unique. To him, it seems from v.3, acting like a man means observing what the Lord requires of us – regardless of how popular or unpopular that will make us. It means walking in obedience to God – even when that puts us out of step with everyone around us. It means living in submission to the revealed will of God for our lives (which for Solomon was the Law of Moses, but for us is Jesus’ Law of loving God, neighbours and even enemies) – even when that is completely counter-cultural. To truly be a man means to live courageously as a fully committed child of God, without shying away from the cost.
Now, in this sense, the injunction to “act like a man”, or in today’s parlance, to “man up”, is actually not gender-specific. Men, women and children share this calling – to live for our LORD in every circumstance, with courage, bravery, endurance and fortitude!
David’s charge came with a promise: “Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.” While we would love to claim that for ourselves in a material sense, we know all too well that absolute obedience led our Master to His death on a Cross. Perfect obedience does not necessarily lead to an easy life … but it does lead to a truly great and significant life. It leads to a life of eternal value in God’s Kingdom. May this be our path today!
Heavenly Father, by Your Spirit in my inner being, please strengthen me for obedient living throughout this day. May I bring You glory and praise through accurately discerning what You require of me, courageously following that course of action, and enduring faithfully to the very end. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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