Daily devotion – A godly man – where is he?
The Need for Godly Fathers in Australia
Australia struggles spiritually today, and one of the core reasons is the absence of godly father figures in our homes. As a young child attending church each Sunday, I remember thinking—even at that early age—“Where are all the men?” Church seemed to be a place mostly for women, especially elderly ladies, and not somewhere men felt called to be. That perception left a lasting impression.
Satan, from the beginning, has sought to dismantle the family. Today, his attack has only intensified. He is not only undermining fatherhood but is also working to completely erase God’s original design for the family and for manhood itself.
Who would have thought that in our day the very definition of male and female could be contested, let alone legally redefined?
The South Australian government recently introduced laws reflecting this confusion:
“If you were born in South Australia or overseas, or your birth has subsequently been registered in SA (e.g. through adoption), you can apply to record a change of sex or gender identity. If born interstate, you must apply in that state or territory. You must provide proof of clinical treatment by an Australian medical practitioner or psychologist. You can change your sex or gender identity once every 12 months, up to three times in your life.”
Is it any wonder that the youth of our nation are more confused and lost than ever before?
So what is a godly man? What does a godly father look like?
When God chose Abraham, He made his role as a father clear:
Deuteronomy 6:7 – “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
The godly father is called to teach his children how to walk with God. Paul echoes this charge in Ephesians:
Ephesians 6:4 – “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
Satan gains a stronghold in homes where godly male leadership is missing. In many cases, faithful women are left trying to fill a role they were never meant to carry alone. Yet even in these situations, God is faithful and can work powerfully:
1 Corinthians 7:14 – “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.”
Even King David, a man after God’s own heart and a mighty king, struggled as a father. His failures remind us that success in one area doesn’t guarantee success in another. We need God’s help to be faithful fathers.
Let us pray that the men in our churches will rise up—to lead spiritually, lovingly, and strongly, as God intended.
Let us look to examples like Abraham, Noah, Joshua, and Caleb—men who led their families with faith and conviction.
Joshua 24:15 – “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Our wives and children are in desperate need of such godly men today.