Pillar of Strength: Seeing The Face of God

God’s Promise:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)

Reflection:

I’ve always been drawn to the story of Les Misérables. Living in NYC through the 80s and 90s, Broadway felt like a second home, and Les Mis was a story I returned to time and again. I saw it at least seven times, each viewing just as powerful as the last. There’s one line that stuck with me, resonating deeper every time I heard it: “To love another person is to see the face of God.” I often wonder if Victor Hugo wrote that line from a place of deep personal experience, from a love so intense it felt divine.

As men, as husbands and fathers, that line takes on a whole new meaning. We carry our swords each day—the Word of God—not to wage war, but to protect, guide, and serve those we love. Our mission as servant leaders isn’t about power or control; it’s about stewardship, shepherding our families with humility and grace. Our family is our work, our ministry, the people God has entrusted to our care. But here’s the important part: our families are not God. We must never lose sight of Jesus in the midst of our responsibilities.

In the busyness of providing, protecting, and leading, it’s easy to let our eyes drift from Christ. But our work—serving our families—must be an outpouring of our faith. Our sword, the Word, isn’t just for defending our homes from the world’s influences. It’s also for sharpening our hearts, aligning us with God’s will. When we lead with the Word, we don’t just guard our families physically—we shepherd their hearts towards Christ.

Think of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:24-25: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” We are that foundation for our families. Without faith, without building on the solid rock of Christ, our homes are like houses on sand—unstable and vulnerable.

So, when you look into the eyes of your wife, and your children, see the face of God in them. See His grace, His love, and His calling for you. Stand strong in your faith. Lead with courage and humility, knowing that every time you wield your sword—every time you serve, guide, and protect—you are doing the work God has set before you.

Because without faith, we are nothing. And if we don’t shepherd our families in faith, they stand on shaky ground. But with Christ as our cornerstone, and the Word as our sword, we lead with strength, serving in love, and stewarding the lives God has entrusted to us.

Today’s Value:

Faithfulness – A faithful man leads his family not just with strength but with unwavering trust in God’s promises, grounding his leadership in the truth of Scripture.

Reflection Questions:

1. Are you leading your family with the Word of God as your sword, or are you relying on your own strength?
2. How can you shift your focus from the busyness of life to seeing Jesus in the faces of your loved ones?
3. What steps can you take today to ensure your family is being built on the rock of Christ rather than the shifting sands of the world?

Bible References:

• Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)
• Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV)
• Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
• Romans 8:18-39 (ESV)

#TheHarvestField #fatherhood #servantleadership #FaithfulShepherds #ChristCenteredHome