The prophet Isaiah continually reminded God’s people of their calling to bring the news of God’s glorious reign to the whole world.  This still holds true in our day.  But why does the church seem so weak and ineffective, continually on the defensive, caving into the popular narrative of self-sufficiency?  Isaiah warns us: we are the problem – not God.  “Look! Listen! God’s arm is not amputated – he can still save.  God’s ears are not stopped up – he can still hear.  There’s nothing wrong with God; the wrong is in you” (Isaiah 59:1-2 – MSG).  The moral and spiritual condition of the people did not allow God to work through them. 

In verses 3-8 the prophet points out many social evils but more their relational sins: “cutthroat cruelty, wicked lies, unjust lawsuits, dishonest testimony, deliberately planned evils that do not even benefit the perpetrators (3-6a).”  “The eager malice with which God’s people can attack one another, and the destruction they can leave behind, creates nothing but human misery, worthy of condemnation by God” (6b-8 – Ortlund: Isaiah). It seems to breaks out like a deep infection, affecting all human relationships.

To their credit the people were realistic about to condition of their nation.  They could very well be describing our own nation. “So there is no justice among us, and we know nothing about right living.  We look for light but find only darkness. We look for bright skies but walk in gloom.  We grope like the blind along a wall, feeling our way like people without eyes” (Isaiah 59:10).  A nation groping, “like the blind along a wall, feeling our way like people without eyes” paints a picture for me of the aggressive national press corps peppering our elected leaders about national and world affairs. Our leaders are simple groping along a wall, hoping to find a way into the light.  They are not able to  accept that “even at brightest noontime, we stumble as though it were dark” (v. 10).  They can recite the latest “talking points” but have no certainty regarding the present narrative to bring peace and prosperity. 

Then the people acknowledge that “…our sins are piled up before God and testify against us.  Yes, we know what sinners we are.  We know we have rebelled and have denied the Lord.  We have turned our backs on our God… Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked” (v. 12-15).  Those who speak out in our time are called “bigots” for pointing out truth. 

God, however, would not let himself be used by a disobedient people.  “He has withdrawn so that they may taste the full, bitter consequences of their sin” (Webb – Isaiah).  Then Isaiah describes God coming to help his people in an impossible situation. It is a picture of pure grace to those who are undeserving. “So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm, and his justice sustained him” (Isaiah 59:16).  In verse 17, we see the Lord getting ready for battle.  He puts on the garments of righteousness, salvation, vengeance and zeal.  “For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along” (Isaiah 59:20).

“Taken as a whole, this powerful picture of God’s girding on his armor expresses the truth that he will not stand by while his people are destroyed; he is totally committed to saving them” (Bible Speaks Today).  Men, are you ever tempted to think that God does not care about you or his people?   He “will repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes” (Is. 59: 18b). 

In 2021, the Institute for Family Studies conducted a survey to explore the supposed masculinity problem in our day.  It is very encouraging and uplifting in light of the mantra associated with “toxic masculinity.”   This survey gives me more incentive to call forth the true masculine within the soul of each man.  The survey’s report concludes by observing, “It’s a good thing so many men are comfortable and happy with being very masculine.  As a society, we would be wise to accept the positive power of masculinity and continue to channel its energy into productive outcomes.”

In the survey, 753 men were asked if they considered themselves very masculine on a 5-point scale.  “Fully 41% of men agree that they are very masculine… and another 30% consider themselves masculine… And when asked if they are happy with how masculine they are, 80% of men further reported being happy.”  The article asks, “If masculinity is a problem, then it would seem we are in big trouble given how many men gladly consider themselves masculine.” The survey went on to analyze three groups of men – very masculine, masculine, and all others.

Higher masculinity is associated with men being more aggressive, loving a good fight, and even taking advantage of others as well as taking charge.  The survey cautions against “following the lead of mainstream media and many large advertisers in shaming the masculinity out of manhood.”  “It’s clear that instead of shaming masculinity out of modern manhood, it might be better to support and strongly encourage men’s daily experiences of their masculinity – both feeling masculine and being happy about it – because masculinity lies at the heart of productive, contributive manhood.”  

What about healthy, nurturing relationships and masculine men?  The survey found that very masculine men are likely to marry and to report feeling loved in their marriages.  Unlike the image in our culture, “these very masculine men are more likely to see emotional closeness and friendship with their ideal partners.” The very masculine men make sacrifices for loved ones that bring joy and “agree that love is worth working hard to find, and to believe that others see them as giving, sharing, loving, and affectionate.” High masculine men are willing to take risks and exercise self-control, which translates into lower propensity for depression. 

The survey gives this summary: “The truth about masculinity is inescapable, according to these survey results. Far from being a problem, it brings with it exactly what individuals, couples, families and communities seek, perhaps especially in challenging times. As we’ve seen here, an internal sense of masculinity corresponds with men’s ability to be functional, stable, contributing members of their communities.”

What can we glean from this survey?   First, be committed to affirming the masculine soul of men.  Celebrate the positive energy that can be channeled for the good of others.   Second, by all means don’t shame men, but rather focus on the God-given motives in real masculine men.  Third, realize that intimate and caring relationships need to be nurtured.  Fourth, help men to explore their masculine soul, allowing them to make positive contributions in their relationships.  

Most of all, create an environment where men can share the story of their soul. God made men for a unique purpose and calling.  We live under layers of expectations, memories and images that are not healthy.  Help other men to share their story – the good, the bad and the ugly, in order to discover their true masculine soul.  

Romans 12:9-10 encourages us:  “Don’t just pretend to love others.  Really love them.  Hate what is wrong.  Hold rightly to what is good.  Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”