Being a Man is a matter of Choice

Psalm 119:97-104

“How I love Your instruction!  It is my meditation all day long.  Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me.  I have more insight than all my teachers because Your decrees are my meditation.  I understand more than the elders
because I obey Your precepts.  I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow Your word.  I have not turned from Your judgments, for You Yourself have instructed me.  How sweet Your word is to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth.  I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore, I hate every false way.”

How I love Your instruction!  It is clear that the Psalmist is referring to God’s instructions, not a religion or ideology that may not have any factual basis.  What has happened to the culture of the Western World?  A very simple answer they have chosen to ignore the instruction of God the Father, who gave His Son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of all mankind.  They have moved to little gods, like money, technology, sports, and put trust in themselves and others that have been created by the only God.

Is it too late to go back to the basic’s and once again look to God’s precepts and statutes, His law and instructions?  That answer is also a simple or profound, NO, it is never too late to confess and humble yourself before a Holy God.  We are a mess, many in our family are a disaster, and it’s because man refuses to be a man under authority.  I believe this quote sums up the problem; “Being a male is a matter of birth, being a man is a matter of choice.” -Ed Cole  

What happened to the male, he has chosen to go with the culture of the world and ignore the instructions of God?  God put men as the head of their family, not because he was smarter, or more equipped than his wife, for we all witness the intelligent of our wife and know how blessed we are to have her as our helpmate.  This quote by G.F. Watkins is on spot; “God places the man as the head so that he can be held accountable-period.”

Men and I’m not referring to boys or males, but men, will you return to the role God has chosen for you?  If so, begin by loving your wife and instructing your sons & daughters in the ways of God.  It is apparent that we drop the ball in many ways; some are found in Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”  Also Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  A sad truth is God did not instruct the Church to train up your child, nor your wife; men, the buck stops with you being held accountable.

So, if your dad dropped the ball, break the cycle, become the head of your family, by loving your wife and children and leading them in the ways of God.  I’ve got to be really upfront with you, it is not going to be easy to begin, your going to need a mentor and you’re going to have to study the ways of God and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your mind and heart.

You will come to agree with the Psalmist, when he said these words; “I have not turned from Your judgments, for You Yourself have instructed me.  How sweet Your word is to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth.  I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore, I hate every false way.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice