I delight in associating with and investing in men hungry to know and serve God. Sadly, men of God are quite rare these days. The church and families are in great want of men committed to following the Lord Jesus. So who were men of God in the Bible, and what were some of their qualities?

Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, prophets, and certainly the Apostles were all men of God, just to name a few. What qualities can we observe in their lives?

1. Men committed to obedience and holiness.

Even as a young man, when confronted with having to compromise his convictions, we are told, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank. . .” (Daniel 1:8). (I believe Daniel would have faced death, if necessary, to remain obedient to God’s direction for his life.) He could have said, “I’m in another country now and everyone else is . . . ,” or, “I’m being commanded by my authority to . . . ,” or, “I sure don’t want to make trouble.” He could have justified it by any number of “reasons.” However, as fathers we are to be committed to following through on what God shows us is His will for our family.

2. Men of courage who are committed to prayer.

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10). Even when Daniel knew he would face the lion’s den, he went to the Lord in prayer.

3. Men of faith ready to face death.

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:17-18). Even when the three faced the furnace, they knew God could rescue them. They were willing to die if God chose not to deliver them. YEAH! Can you imagine what our families would be like if we men had this same faith and dedication? Are we willing to die daily to ourselves for our families? Our Lord Jesus set the example.

4. Men who speak only the truth.

“And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass. . .” (1 Samuel 9:6).

“And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth” (1 Kings 17:24). Every word out of our mouth must be true.

5. A man of God results in God being praised.

“And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant” (2 Kings 5:15).

6. Men who are able to see God’s protection.

“And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servants said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:15-16).

7. Men of God are ever improving their skill and knowledge of the Bible.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If this verse is true, and I believe it is, we must study God’s Word to know how to live and confirm God’s direction for our family. I once knew a man who said he was praying about divorcing his faithful wife. If he had known God’s Word, he would have known that wasn’t an option for him.

There is so much more that could be said, but Jesus Christ is the perfect example. “Dear Father, help us to be like Jesus.”