God Is Looking For Real Men

. .

I woke up at 4:30 this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. . .so I knew God had a writing assignment for me.

As I opened my computer. . .the first scripture I saw was Psalm 112:5 in the New International Version:

“Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.”

I looked up the verse in five other translations and was ready to write. . .but God led me in a totally different direction.

He said, “Write this down:”

“The Marine Corps is looking for a few good men. . .but not Me.”

God wants to raise up a generation of good men. . .REAL men who understand how to fulfill their destiny.

Things seem to be out of whack . . . when men are shaving their legs and women are shaving their heads . . . something just isn’t right.  Men are told to get in touch with their feminine side while there are women have forgotten what it means to be a lady.

God is not interested in the qualities of a man being defined by popular culture . . . but by His word.

Truthfully, about this time I thought to myself, “Lord, less than two months ago you had me write `What Makes A Good Man.’  Where are you taking me?”

The Lord then directed me to read the entire Chapter of Psalm 112.  There are ten verses in the chapter and within it, the Lord showed me 10 qualities of a real man.

1.  A real man will fear the Lord and delight in His word.

“PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who fears (reveres and worships) the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.” V1 AMP

In Job 28:28 in the Amplified Bible the fear of the Lord is linked with wisdom.

“But to man He said, Behold, the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord--that is Wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”

A real man has an insatiable appetite for the Word of God and He delights in it day and night.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.”  Joshua 1:8 AMP

2.  The real man can expect his children to make a difference in their generation.

“His [spiritual] offspring shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed.” V2 AMP

God wants our children to fulfill their divine destinies . . .He wants them to be heroes  and not zeroes.  A real man dedicates himself to see his children raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord, first by his godly example.

“For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach and command his children and the sons of his house after him to keep the way of the Lord and to do what is just and righteous, so that the Lord may bring Abraham what He has promised him.”  Genesis 18:19

A real man will spend time talking with his children about the things in life that have lasting value.

3.  A real man will be prosperous.

“Prosperity and welfare are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.” V3 AMP

A real man not only understands the person of Jesus but he recognizes, practices and adheres to His principles as well.  Whenever we follow His Word, we are embracing the guidelines He sets forth and we will be prosperous.

I particularly like the way my Personalized Promises Bible translates this verse.

“Wealth and riches shall be in Harold and Bev’s house: and their righteousness endureth for ever.”

Personalize this verse and make it your own.

4.  A real man will always make himself light in the midst of darkness.

“Light arises in the darkness for the upright, gracious, compassionate, and just [who are in right standing with God].” V4 AMP

I like the Message Bible translation as well.

“Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.”

5.  A real man is generous and a model of integrity in his business dealings.

“It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice.” V 5 AMP

The Amplified Bible translation of Proverbs 22:29 says:

“Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”

There are so many scriptures about the blessings available to a generous man but I feel led to give you Deuteronomy 15:19 in the New Living Translation.

“Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.”

I suggest you visit our website, www.haroldherring.com and read my blog: “The 12 Benefits of Generosity.”

6.  A real man is not moved by circumstances and will be remembered for his principles.

“He will not be moved forever; the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) shall be in everlasting remembrance.” V6 AMP

When a real man faces a challenging circumstance, stressful situation or perplexing problem. . .he knows where to turn for his answers.

“Moses said, "Give me some time; I'll find out what God says in your circumstances."  Numbers 9:8 MSG

7.  A real man will not fear any evil or trick of the enemy.

“He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting (leaning on and being confident) in the Lord.” V 7 AMP

A real man understands that fear is not of God. . .it’s a lying condition fostered by the devil.  A real man understands the power and peace of mind contained in 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP):

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”

8.  A real man understands God’s purposes will prevail.

“His heart is established and steady, he will not be afraid while he waits to see his desire established upon his adversaries.” V 8 AMP

A real man easily overcomes his doubts because he’s committed to following God’s direction in every area of his life.

“Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.”  Proverbs 19:21 AMP

9.  A real man is blessed because he knows how to be a blessing.

 “He has distributed freely [he has given to the poor and needy]; his righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) endures forever; his horn shall be exalted in honor.” V 9 AMP

There are so many scriptures to choose from that confirm this verse . . .but I feel led to share 2 Corinthians 9:8 in the New Living Translation:

“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

10.  A real man’s enemies will be destroyed. . .not by him. . .but by God because of the kind of life he lives.

“The wicked man will see it and be grieved and angered, he will gnash his teeth and disappear [in despair]; the desire of the wicked shall perish and come to nothing.” V 10 AMP

With God on your side . . .who can be against you?

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”  Romans 8:31

Not only will God be on the side of a real man but his enemies will be God’s enemies.

“But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you.”  Exodus 23:22 NLT

These ten things are not meant to be the only ten qualities of a real man but they are in fact what the Lord directed me to write about today.

Basically Psalm 112 is demonstrating not only the qualities of a real man but more importantly, the characteristics of a godly person.

God is not interested in a man getting in touch with his feminine side. . .He wants man to get in touch with Him and all the other needs of life will be met.  Period. Paragraph.

 

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