Lessons in Godly Masculinity

Lessons in Godly Masculinity From the Life of King David

One of the best ways to learn what Godly masculinity looks like is to look at the lives of men in the Bible. We can see examples of what these men did right and what they did that was wrong.

In this post I will be taking a look at the life of King David, one of the most masculine men in the whole Bible.

David the Warrior

When he was nothing more than a shepherd boy, David took on bears and lions in order to protect his flock. David implicitly trusted God to give him victory over these beasts.

Later, David faced another beast, the behemoth of a man named Goliath. When David saw that Goliath was mocking Israel’s army he become enraged. David knew that by insulting God’s people, Goliath was actually mocking God Himself. David couldn’t stand for this.

David also saw that all of the soldiers were afraid to face the giant. He couldn’t believe it. God had promised to watch over the Israelites and yet here they were, afraid of a single man.

David trusted in God to protect him. David knew that God cared about His people and would not abandon them and he volunteered to fight Goliath. I love what David says to Goliath right before he kills him:

⁴⁵ David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.⁴⁶ This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. ⁴⁷ All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Sam 17:45-47, NIV)

Them’s fighting words.

Men, how many of us show the same fortitude? How many of us are willing to take radical risks for the glory of God? Do we stand up for what is right when it isn’t popular? Are we willing to be politically incorrect for God?