The Five Marks of a Man Seven Day Devotion by Brian TomeSýnishorn

Day 6

Men Protect

Nehemiah 4:14 

Men are protectors, physical and spiritual protectors. It’s in our DNA.

It was in William Wilberforce, who fought to end the British slave trade and eventually all slavery in the British territories. Wilberforce was a man compelled by his faith to protect those who couldn’t defend themselves.

It was in Dietrich Bonhoeffer, whose beliefs led him to stand up to Hitler. He was executed in 1945 at Flossenburg concentration camp for his work with the underground resistance.

It was in Todd Beamer, who on 9/11 helped lead the group of United 93 passengers against the terrorists who had killed the pilots and commandeered the plane. They gave up their lives but saved unknown destruction to lives and leaders in Washington, DC.

Men, you can’t tell me this is not in you. Maybe between Xboxes and car payments and Netflix marathons, it’s been pushed back, but it’s in you. We’re called to so much more. We’re called to protect.

I believe men are physically and spiritually wired to protect. This may be part of what was going on with young David when he stood up to the giant Goliath. The little shepherd kid wasn’t yet the warrior king he would grow into, but it was clearly in him. Or consider Nehemiah, the Old Testament leader who launched the project to rebuild the damaged walls protecting Jerusalem. Nehemiah led a team of everyday citizens, not soldiers, but they were surrounded by people who hated them and wanted to stop them from rebuilding the walls. Nehemiah posted his men along the construction project with swords, spears, and bows while the people worked.

There is one important caveat. Protecting isn’t about powering up or flexing muscles or using violence to get what we want. The Bible not only tells us to protect and defend but also warns us not to adopt the ways of violent men (Proverbs 3:31). Violence in any form to get our own way is boy stuff. Strength under control used to protect others is man stuff.

The call for us to protect others against bullies and bad guys of all shapes and sizes is seen throughout the Bible. Men are called to be protectors.

Can you think of a time when you stepped in to protect someone? How about a time when you failed to do so, even though you knew it was the right thing to do?