Father Son Exhortation – Day One “Be Strong”
This is Brian Doyle and as a dad, I know that one of my roles is to ‘exhort’ my children. Exhort means to urge, advise or caution earnestly; to admonish with a sense of urgency.
Before King David passed away, he gave his son, Solomon, a simple but direct exhortation:
I Kings 2:2,3
“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.”
Four things are found in this exhortation:
1. Be strong.
2. Act like a man
3. Observe what God requires.
4. Walk in obedience.
The First One is to ‘Be strong.’
Solomon was soon to be king, a role that gave him massive influence in the lives of other people. He would need to be strong for there would be many who would have his ear and attempt to convince him to follow their counsel. Solomon would need to be strong to make decisions when others would disagree with him.
God exhorted Joshua as he prepared to lead the people into the Promise Land. His exhortation was:
- Be strong and courageous
- Be strong and very courageous…
- Be careful to obey all the law…
- Meditate on it day and night..
- Be strong and courageous…
- Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged…
- I will be with you wherever you go.\
In a like manner, David urges his son to ‘be strong’ – not just physically strong but morally and emotionally strong and to be decisive in his role as the king.
Question to Consider: Whan and where was the last time that I was this type of ‘strong’?
Prayer: Father God, would you help me to lean in on you and to be strong as a result of this. In Jesus Name, Amen
“Just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging andimploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”