The Man for the Day: Answering the Call to Godly Manhood

by J. Josh Smith

Many men sense a growing desire for a more robust spiritual life, to walk with God and to be used by Him. They long for meaning and purpose and a life that impacts eternity. They long to matter. Men are increasingly weary of a worldly culture’s constant assault on their families, their churches, and their manhood. They yearn to do something, to be God’s man, but they remain uncertain of what that something is or even how to begin. They hear the resounding higher call to be God’s man, the man for the day, and to courageously yield to be used by God however He chooses.

In The Man for the Day, J. Josh Smith walks through the life of Elijah to reveal ten qualities needed in the pursuit of a life that matters. Smith invites men to boldly lead their families, churches, and communities, to meet the needs of the day for the glory of God. We need not limp through life with the feelings of indifference and insignificance. We need not settle. Our Maker has called us to more. Smith issues the challenge to us all that during these days of increasing hardship and decay, our times need godly men, and our God wants men to be The Man for the Day.

192 pages, Paperback

Published January 26, 2026

Reviews

[Jakob Mccomb]

A helpful summary of biblical masculinity in a much more balanced and practical way - less “alpha male”cringe than similar books. I found repetition of some lines to be irritating initially but charming and helpful by the end. It’s a book you can read, and immediately ponder and implement

[Tim Warke]

Having recently read "The Titus Ten" by this author, I was eager to read this newly published book. Based on lessons from the life of Elijah it is so helpful, real, practical and oh so challenging. He shares a prayer that he wants Christian men to be able to pray: "Lord, do whatever you need to do in me so that you can do whatever you want to do through me."

I want to be able to pray that. I hope I can. But it is a real challenge of total surrender. Yet surely as Christian men, we should want to pray this. But it will require change in our lives. The challenge for moral purity in Christian men is understandably a key theme and one which he visits several times throughout this book. And it's a message I think we all need to hear time and time again.

He challenges us to a life of consistent godliness: "You do not become the man for the day by one decision you make, but by a lifetime of decisions you make - decisions that will flow out of a heart that is resolved to be the man God has called you to be."

I have been challenged, encouraged and made to pause for thought and to pray by so much in this book and I believe that will be the case for any Christian man who reads it with a sincere desire to be the man God wants you to be.

Here's one final SO challenging quote: "The world does not need more lukewarm men who nauseate God. We don't need lukewarm church members or lukewarm fathers or lukewarm husbands. We don't need a Christianity that is flabby and anemic (sic). We need men who understand God's manifest presence and seek it continually. We need men on fire."

Lord, may we be such men, by your Spirit, in your power, with your help and grace.

[Ethan D Good]

This book is a unique challenge to all Christian men. Many of us fall in complacency and unwittingly choose to coast. This book serves as a wake-up call and reminder that we, as Christian men, are called to a standard of Christ-likeness and an excellence which glorifies God. This standard is not a call to monetary success or productivity. Rather, it is a call to complete and total submission to the teachings of Scripture, to hate what God hates, love what God loves, and align our will entire with His.

[David Mathis]

Such an amazing book! This book is just the right thing for men who know Christ, but they want to become more of a man of God. Men new to Christianity may struggle with the terminology and concepts within this book. Still, J. Josh Smith walks through the life of Elijah and effortlessly explains how God built him into the man Israel needed for that season. Each chapter provided the necessary directions men need to take in order for God to mold us into who He created us to be as Godly men.

[Serena Mancini]

I stumbled upon this book through a giveaway, and although I’m obviously not the target audience, the book was pretty good. It included some insightful and introspective thoughts in addition to the preaching. A good book for any religious man to read.

“He is courageous when speaking about the perversity of others, but a coward when dealing with the perversity in his own heart and mind.”

[John]

Josh Smith provides a summation of what God calls a man to be by examining the ministry of Elijah as he challenged King Ahab, the prophets of Baal and Jezebel. Chapter by chapter different aspects of what it means to be God's man are explored. This is an excellent summation of how to God's and live a life of Godly manhood.

[Nate Balcom]

Fantastic read. Practical. Biblically centered. Pushing men to greatness. Doesn't sneak in political nonsense. Would make a men's group book study, maybe I'll use it for 13th Disciple.