1 Kings 2:2–3: “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn;”

July 5th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

When David said to Solomon, who according to Josephus was 14 years old, “prove yourself a man,” he was challenging him to be strong in his commitment to follow the Lord in everything, which would enable him to face the complex decisions that lay ahead of him as king. David’s advice echoes through the hallways of time and speaks to every person today. He was in essence saying that if we follow the word of God, our lives will prosper.

There’s an unhealthy emphasis today on the material sense of prosperity. The most important goals to fulfill in life are not financial. Real prosperity means fulfillment in life. A real man or woman of God chooses to participate in the work of furthering the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20), where gold is of so little value, it is used to pave the streets.

In 1555, Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley were sentenced to burn at the stake for refusing to recant their personal faith in Jesus Christ. As they approached the stake, Latimer uttered these unforgettable words to his friend: “Be of good cheer, Ridley. Play the man! We shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace . . . as I trust shall never be put out.” Now we see where Hugh Latimer learned the phrase, “play the man.” He learned it from the lips of King David, speaking to his young son. What a great charge to give a young person heading into adulthood. What a great charge for each of us, regardless of our age or stage in life, to embrace.

“LORD, by Your grace and power, help us to play the man or woman of God well today.”