Men of Strength: Character, Faith, and Commitment in a Troubled Nation

In a time when America is shaken at its very foundations, Adrian Rogers reminds us of a sobering truth: the crisis of our nation begins in the crisis of our homes, and the crisis in our homes begins with men who have failed to live as true men of God. What this generation needs is not more wealth, power, or fame—but men of strength. Men of integrity. Men who stand firm in faith.

Pastor Rogers turns to Judges 11 and introduces us to Jephthah, a man whose name is briefly listed in Hebrews 11 among the great heroes of faith. Jephthah was not born into privilege; he was the illegitimate son of a harlot, rejected by his family, cast out of his home, and forced into a life of hardship. By the world’s standards, he had every excuse to fail. Yet instead of becoming a victim of his past, Jephthah became a man of valor, a leader whom God raised up for a crucial moment in Israel’s history.

Dr. Rogers warns us against the modern tendency to shift blame—to psychology, to society, to circumstances. We live in what he calls a “no-fault culture,” where sin is rebranded as sickness and responsibility is avoided. But he reminds us that Jesus did not die for mistakes—He died for sin. Real strength begins when we stop excusing ourselves, face the truth, and embrace the grace of God that forgives, redeems, and makes us new.

Jephthah’s story also shows us what faith looks like in the face of danger. When Israel was threatened by the Ammonites, the very people who had once rejected him came begging for his leadership. His response reveals his confidence, not in himself, but in God: “If the Lord gives me victory, will you then follow me?” This echoes the call of Christ Himself—our Deliverer who was once despised and rejected, yet who asks us today, “If I save you, will I also be Lord of your life?”

Finally, Rogers highlights Jephthah’s deep commitment in the face of disappointment. Before the battle, Jephthah prayed and made a solemn vow to God. When victory was won, that vow brought him heartbreak, as it involved his beloved daughter. Yet even then, Jephthah stood by his word before the Lord, showing us that true faith is not about convenience but about costly commitment.

Adrian Rogers closes with a challenge: real men of strength are not bound by their past, not intimidated by present dangers, and not shaken by disappointment. They are men of prayer, men of faith, and men of integrity—men through whom God can strengthen a nation.