A Few Good (Godly) Men

A FEW GOOD GODLY MEN

Ezekiel 22:30

The United States Marine Corp clearly states that they want “a few good men.” Honestly only the best of the best make it through their training. We have heard a song written by beloved writer, Bill Gaither, stating that God needs a few good men and this was accented by highlighting a few of the men who, on 9/11, demonstrated tremendous courage in the face of possible death. This world needs good men.

I offer to penetrating questions today: Does God want good men or does God want GODLY men? Godly men are good, but good men are not necessarily godly. Is being ‘good’ alone, good enough?

Good Men Godly Men

Are well liked Are well loved

Do the right thing Does things right

Has a good view of today Has a good view of eternity

Are known for their actions Are known for their heart

Meet Physical needs Meet Spiritual needs

Follows the Crowd Follows Christ

So the question truly is, “What is God looking for,” good or Godly.

As these questions filled my heart & soul & as I sensed God leading me to this subject there were two Biblical stories which I was reminded of.

* My heart was first drawn to the story found in 2 Chronicles of Judah’s King Asa. Scriptures record that when Asa came to the throne, He did “what was ‘good & right’ in the sight of the Lord & removed all the pagan altar & the high places. Furthermore, he shattered the pillars and sawed up the poles which were worshiped.

* He influenced His people of Judah to seek God for all things. When the 1m+ man army of Ethiopia made war against him, he sought God’s help first and God gave him victory against incredible odds. This put fear in the other Kings & gave peace to Asa. Yet, this isn’t the end of the story.

* Some 30+ years later when the King of Israel attacked Judah, Asa went to another King, and not God, for help. While they won the victory, Asa lost the blessing of God. You and I may tend to this is ‘no big deal’ because they won – but it was a big deal with God and it remains one.

* God sent Hanani to Asa with a message of confrontation about His actions. The summary statement is found in 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the Lord run (to and fro) throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts area COMPLETELY His.”

* Men, based on my reading of God’s word it does not appear that God is just looking for ‘good men’. He is searching, seeking, and in quest those men whose hearts are COMPLETELY His.

* Becoming one of these men is not for the faint of heart or those with a half-hearted, lack luster loyalty, it required courage & commitment. His eye are still running to and fro looking for such men.

* The second story is found over in Ezekiel 22. For me this is a sister type of story to King Asa. This points men, dads, & granddads that God expects you to lead spiritually.

* The story of God’s chosen people is this: The Jewish nation which cannot get along (Baptists?) is divided into 2 Kingdoms, Israel in the North & Judah in the South. In particular, Israel is well documented for have one wicked King after another (just like their people).

* Simply put, God warned Israel and called on them to repent of their wickedness and to turn & follow HIM only. Their response was to reject God’s call. For this reason, they paid a price. Resisting God exacts a price! Around 722BC the Northern Kingdom, Israel, fell to the Assyrians & were taken into captivity and around 586BC The Southern Kingdom, Judah, fell to the Babylonians and were taken into captivity.

* Instead of living in the land of promise, they wound up living in the land of captivity, penalty, & cruelty. Why did this happen? Eze. 22:30 (read)

* Today, God is searching for men (we’ll get to the women), God is searching for men who will ‘repair the wall’ (the walls of our culture, our country, and even are churches are falling down.)

* God IS searching for men who will not only repair the wall, but also stand in the gap before Him. There is a gap between mankind and God. God is righteous and mankind, by nature, is unrighteous. We do this by answering His call. When Jesus ministered on earth, He called 12 men to “Follow Me.” Today we talk about walking with God, but we can never walk with God until we follow after Christ. Christ stood in the gap between our wickedness & God’s righteousness – and it cost Him His life. God is calling men today to be ‘The one’ who’ll repair the wall and stand in the gap because their heart is completely devoted to HIM.