S)"2 I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. 3 Keep the charge of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn,"
1 Kings 2:2-3 (NASB)
O) Now, King David does end this directive by saying, "according to what is written in the Law of Moses," but it's important to remember that when Jesus came, He fulfilled the Old Covenant and established a new one. In doing so, He did not abolish keeping the charge of the LORD, our God, or walking in His ways, or keeping His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, or His testimonies - it only changed how that's carried out. Specifically, we now operate under grace such as was never available before the sacrifice of Jesus. Now, all of that deserves its own attention and there is quite a bit of discussion there, but we can suffice it say this: God still has a will for His sons to do what is right before His eyes. Most simply put, being a man means keeping the charge of the LORD our God, with all that He has commanded us to do.
A) His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies haven't changed and they do not vary between myself and my brothers. "Do not lie" is not going to be a command for me, but not for my brother in Christ. These are all found clearly throughout the Bible and they are reinforced by knowing who God is and being familiar with His word will continue to support this for me. Beyond that, though, and more personal to each individual and certainly for myself, is to "keep the charge" that He has given me. This is where it gets personal. It's important for me to always keep an account, realizing that His personal charges to me will never contradict His other ways, statutes, etc. From there, I need to keep them firmly in mind to obey and uphold them. My wife is in my charge, my children are in my charge, ministry (however that looks) is in my charge. God has also given me more personal, more specific charges. Being a man is not about a status, an age, or any specific event or rite. "Show yourself a man" is continual submission to the will of God in obedience, self-sacrifice, and devotion.
P) Father, I often fail at being a man. Forgive me for those failures, God. I will be the man You are calling me to be. I will be the man my wife desires and needs. I will be the man my children desire and need. I will be the man my ministry is calling for me to be. Above all else, God, I am Your man. When I fail in this, I commit to get back up quickly and I pray I do not miss opportunities along the way. Thank You for the grace and mercy You have shown Your servant, Your man. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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