Judges 3:31; 5:6
Introduction
There are plenty of things in today’s world that can make a man feel unworthy. Sin, cultural chaos, and making decisions outside of God’s will often lead to feelings of discouragement and defeat. In the Bible, we see many stories of men who, despite the cultural influences and odds against them, were able to overcome their situations and save nations.
In the book of Judges, Shamgar was such as man. God used Shamgar, a farmer with a tool typically used to prod oxen, to save Israel from an attack of 600 Philistines. While the defeat may seem like a miracle, it is an example of what God will do for those who listen to Him and follow His instructions.
Men today who cultivate a relationship with God and are willing to start with the tools they already have can beat the odds like Shamgar did. A dynamic relationship between a man and the Holy Spirit is necessary so a man can know when God is talking to him. God only speaks to men who abide in His presence and are open to receiving His ideas, thoughts, and advice on life’s circumstances.
In order to beat the odds, a man must rely on God, not his own thoughts or emotions.
Getting Started
When God created Adam, He also gave him a vision. That vision was for Adam to make his dominion on Earth bigger and better. If you were asked to articulate the vision that God has given you for your life, what would you say?
Pastor Evans reminded us that a vision is also critical to the success of a family. What is your family’s vision? What can you do daily to ensure it is implemented?
Let’s Get Personal
Shamgar was not the only person in the Bible who did a lot with one tool. Moses parted the Red Sea with his shepherd’s rod and Samson fought against an army of 1,000 men with the jawbone of a donkey. All of these men operated within their God-given roles and used the tools they already had. Upon seeing their diligence and commitment to Him, God expanded their abilities to achieve what seemed to be impossible.
Start today by identifying the strengths you know you already have. What are you good at?
The tools you have will expand and become something different when you listen for God’s directions and obey Him. What tools do you use in your daily work? How can they help expand the kingdom of God?
Kingdom Resources for Men
A Kingdom Man is a male who visibly and consistently submits to the comprehensive relationship and rule of God, underneath the Lordship of Jesus Christ, in every area of his life.
- Set aside time to meet with God daily, in His Word and through prayer, for the purpose of cultivating spiritual intimacy. Proactively seek to draw down heavenly authority and receive divine instruction. This can be done by reviewing the weekly sermon outlines and key Scriptures, reading and meditating through specific passages in or an entire book of the Bible, or using a devotional guide. The goal is to seek more of God than merely seeking things from God.
- Pray daily with your mate and share with her what you are learning from church and your personal time with God.
- Regularly use a meal time for praying with and over your family, having devotions, Scripture reading and discussing what your children learned in church or in their own time with the Lord. Remove distractions from this time. If you are single, use this time to pray for any extended family as well as for your future family.
- If your children do not live with you, engage them regularly through text or a phone call to inquire as to how they are doing, read or discuss a chapter in Scripture (you can start with the Psalms) and to give them guidance. Close with praying for them, and with them for others. If they are not open to this, text them that you are praying for them each day and ask God to cause them to become more open to this.
Resources
- My Utmost for His Highest (Oswald Chambers), paperback devotional
- Jesus Calling (Sarah Young), paperback devotional
- Life Under God: 365 Day Devotional (Tony Evans), leather version
- Prayers for Victory in Your Marriage (Tony Evans), paperback guided prayers
- Kingdom Family Devotional (Tony Evans and Jonathan Evans), hardback devotional
- One-Minute Prayers for Men (Nick Harrison), paperback guided prayers
