Manly Responsibilities

 

Isaiah 38:19 (NRSVue) - The living, the living, they thank you, as I do this day; fathers make known to children your faithfulness.

Hezekiah was ill.

In fact, he was near death.

When Isaiah arrived, his words were not words of comfort.

“Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.”

Hezekiah prayed.

God sent Isaiah back to Hezekiah with a promise of fifteen more years.

Upon his recovery, Hezekiah wrote.

In gratitude, his words included: “fathers make known to children your faithfulness.”

Paul, in his letter to the Colossians touched on a similar sentiment.

Colossians 2:6-7 (NRSVue) - As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

We are commanded to walk in Christ.

Those whose fathers taught them are particularly blessed.

In a little over a week, we will celebrate Father’s Day.

But, for one reason or another, not everyone has an earthly father to celebrate.

That is why I think men… all men, have a responsibility.

We must choose our actions as carefully as we choose our words.

The example we set can have a tremendous impact on young lives.

God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us everything we need to live a Godly life.

Most importantly, He gave us His Son who taught us by both word and deed.

As such, our lives should revolve around Him.

In doing so, our lives reflect His light and His love.

And, in doing so, we teach our faithfulness to the young.

It does not matter whether they are our children or not.

The young observe us with great scrutiny.

If there are chinks in our spiritual armor, they will find them.

That is why we must be aware of the example we set.

And, considering the state of today’s world, the young need every advantage we can provide.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 16, 2023.

I will be back here on Friday, June 23, 2023