Daily Devotional: Protector & Giver of Life
- David A. Case
- Feb 8
- 4 min read
By David A. Case
Life Sayings:
Without integrity, there can be no real trust.
I only have the authority (or influence) that God or others give me.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31, NKJV)
“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4, NKJV)
The adult should act like an adult. Authority is not a license to dominate. Authority is a call to cover, nurture, and protect. Without integrity there can be no real trust. I only have the authority and the influence that God or others give me, and that influence can either give life or crush it.
An authority figure can create an atmosphere where those under his influence have the freedom to fail. Failure is part of learning to succeed. A child’s first attempts to walk usually include falling. A wise authority figure expects that, stays steady, and keeps the effort headed in the right direction. The opposite approach belittles and dominates whenever performance does not measure up. That kind of authority is often more concerned with its own position than with the growth of others.
Romans 8:31 tells me something foundational about God. God is for us. That means godly authority should carry the same spirit. An authority figure should function like a cheerleader, encouraging, strengthening, and developing the greatness of those who are his responsibility. A man who is driven by comparison cannot do this. He compares, then demands. He provokes those under him to anger. He pushes people to perform rather than helping them grow.
Godly authority recognizes two kinds of failure. There is failure that is normal and headed in the right direction. There is also failure that is headed in the wrong direction. This is where boundaries matter. Authority is meant to prune the vine, to set limits that keep the person moving toward God-created potential. Pruning is not humiliation. Pruning is protection. Pruning creates space for growth.
True authority is influence. The question is simple. Who has greater influence, the one who intimidates to maintain a position of strength or the one who is loved and valued because he has sown into others? An intimidator has temporary power. His influence lasts only as long as people are afraid. People who are responding to cruelty will jump at the first chance to escape, and some will quietly hope for the downfall of the one who dominates them. That is not authority. That is fear.
The man who gives life carries influence that goes deeper than words. People around him sense his heart and respond with love before he even speaks. That kind of influence lasts because it is rooted in trust. It multiplies because it creates strength in others.
A major purpose of authority is not to give blows, but to absorb blows. Authority is designed to be covering. It should be a first line of defense. If an attacker comes, the children should not be out front. The father should step forward. When arrows are flying, he should become a wall for his family. He should be a giver of strength and a protector of life.
This is also why authority must include nurture. Our culture often portrays the ideal male as the macho hunter who beats emotionalism out of his sons. That is not the image I see in Christ with His disciples. Scripture presents strength and tenderness together. We are designed to overcome challenges, yet we are also designed to nurture. Godly authority protects life by building life.
Reflection Question
Where am I using position, volume, criticism, or intimidation to get outcomes, and what does that reveal about the insecurity I am trying to hide, the control I crave, and what I am trusting to make me feel strong instead of becoming a protector and giver of life?
Prayer
Father, thank You for being for me. Forgive me for any way I have used authority to provoke, belittle, or control. Build integrity in me so trust can grow. Teach me to protect life, to absorb blows instead of giving them, and to nurture the people You have placed under my influence. Make my strength look like Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Today’s Step of Obedience
Choose one person under your influence (child, spouse, employee, student, or friend). Do one measurable “giver of life” action today: speak one specific encouragement about their growth, then ask one question that supports them (“What is one next step you want to take?”). Follow it by offering one practical help or boundary that makes that step more achievable.
This devotional was inspired by the book Heart Change Handbook by David A. Case. If you found it helpful, please consider it for your own self-study and suggest it to your church small group or recovery community as a basis for small group study.
If this message has encouraged you to pursue deeper transformation, I invite you to continue the journey through The Heart Change Handbook. It provides a practical, biblical path for spiritual growth and is an excellent resource for church small groups and recovery communities. Consider getting your copy today and introducing it to your group as a guide toward meaningful heart change.
👉 Learn more about Small Group Resources from Heart Change U.
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