Via TJC
This week we are examining the role of Husbands as Protectors.
“And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it” ~ Genesis 2:15 (AMPC)
Are there any heroes in the world today? No matter how noble or accomplished a person has been, today strong elements of society will quickly point out their flaws and shortcomings.
In the beginning the Lord God put Adam in the garden, not just to tend it, but also to guard and keep it. It should not come as a surprise that God’s design for man as Protector should come under great attack, as without protection our enemy is like a predator among sheep.
With so many vulnerable people experiencing, or witnessing in others, stupid brute force from guys, our culture has been poisoned, demonizing all masculine strength as “toxic”. Our culture is teaching men to be effeminate, so they can be controlled. This poison has even crept into the Church with many American Christians viewing Jesus as weak & harmless. Personally, if that was all I had experienced I would agree, but I have experienced differently and the Bible says differently: Jesus is the King of all Kings, who triumphs over His enemies (Rev 19:11-16) and His robe is red with their trampled blood (Isaiah 63:2-4).
Author Dave Grossman (LTC, ret.) divides the human population into 3 groups, 2 of which are “sheep” and “wolves”. The “wolves” are predators, evil men, who (as Grossman puts it) “feed on the [sheep] without mercy”. Note that toxic masculinity, a misuse of masculine strength, is a learned behavior, further intensified by social media. And does our cultural media show dads as heroes? No. Typically dads are shown as either bumbling idiots (“Doh”) or to be feared (not in a good way) and are not respected.
Grossman describes a third group, “sheepdogs”. They protect the perimeter and are vigilant, watching for wolves. Usually just their presence and alertness is enough to scare away predators. Per Wikipedia, the most sought after traits “are trustworthiness, attentiveness, and protectiveness; trustworthy in that they do not roam off and are not aggressive with the livestock, attentive in that they are situationally aware of threats by predators, and protective in that they attempt to drive off predators.” I especially like that these dogs are bred to be attentive and situationally aware of threats by predators.
We are to do the same. (1 Peter 5:8).
Stand with me in being “Strong and very courageous” in protecting the fullness of what our families need.
Note: In the picture above, the Sheepdog not only chases away the wolf (who has its tail tucked firmly between its legs) but is also wearing its Wolf Collar. Even as a Sheepdog, don’t forget to put on your Armor of God daily.
Daily Battle Order:
Men: Our families are under attack. Discuss today with your family examples you’ve seen of people as sheep, wolves and sheepdogs.
Also: Today our country votes for the President and other offices which look to determine the future for our country. As a Protector, take time today to not only vote, but also to pray for our country and leaders.
After praying, talk over which folks remind you of sheep, wolves or sheepdogs.
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