Friday, June 7, 2013

VALIANT

Suggested Reading: 1 CHRONICLES 7

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

Camels in Petra, Jordan.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 7:2

“They were valiant men of might in their generations.”

Five times in today’s reading we are reminded of the number of those who were, as the last verse of chapter 7 says, “fit for battle.” They were also called “choice men.” We are coming up to Father’s Day shortly. In today’s battles, we need many more “choice men” who are “fit for battle.” Perhaps the key word here is “valiant.” According to the dictionary, valiant means, “boldly courageous, brave, or heroic.” Our reading numbers over 150,000 such men. In church this Sunday here in Canada, there will be many times more men than that. Let us rise up as “valiant” men of God. The women and children can pray for us that we will be men of character, fighting, not with human weapons, but with the “Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I ask for the working of Your Spirit in me so that I may be “valiant” for You. Keep me faithful in the discipline of prayer and the reading of Your Word, so that as I exercise and practise with that weapon, Your Word, You’ve given me, I may be “fit for battle.” May I today rise up, getting out of the trench and into the face of the enemy, where by Your might I will win in the battle of life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

One of the names mentioned in today’s reading is Joshua, the son of Nun. What a valiant man! Joshua is the Hebrew equivalent of “Jesus.” Joshua met the “Commander of the army of the Lord.” This was likely an appearance of Jesus prior to His birth in Bethlehem (see Joshua 5:13-15). The spiritual song, “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” comes to my mind. I’m singing it quietly so as not to wake up Norma-Jean.

Two days ago, Jerry Johnston interviewed Rev. Mel Mullen of Red Deer, Alberta, on the 100 Huntley Street telecast. Mel challenged me to be a “valiant” man of God (click here for that interview).

As a boy I would read daily the comic strips in the newspaper. There was a character called “Prince Valiant.” He was a knight of great courage and of sterling character. I remember thinking that when I grow up I want to be “valiant.” Here I am at almost 77 and I still want to be “valiant” (click here for a look at that comic strip).

Yours for becoming a person of valour,

David

18 thoughts on “Friday, June 7, 2013

  1. Lord God Almighty, I pray that you would raise up a valiant force in our generation. A legion of would-be prayer-warriors, standing for truth in this land, not afraid to judge by your righteous standards. May we all learn to be a people of the book, The Bible, to learn and to study it well, for nourishment of spirit and for strength of battle; let it become our Sword of the Spirit. And finally Lord, sink deep within our hearts the principles of Your Word, that we may live a ‘just’ life and that we might stand rightly before You in that day of judgement. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

    • Living by your righteous standards, Lord, amen, amen, and amen! Thanks Scott for your beautiful prayer!

  2. Good morning fellow blog-buddies on this very wet Friday.

    Amen Scott!! What a wonderful prayer!!!

    Have a great day everyone!!

  3. Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

  4. I know the names of women and men are here in God’s word but how do you
    keep track of who is who and what they did. I can’t and sometimes skip over
    the names . I try to pronounce their names but with no luck
    Lianne Hogg

    • To help with the second part of your question: when you click to hear the message, then click the audio button that comes up once you have done that, you are able to hear the Word being read to you and at the same time, can scroll down on the screen and read it. That makes it much easier to follow the names and it sinks in better.

      Like you, I find it impossible to want to read the names. It is too much of a short cut for us to just skip over them. That is why I find the audio with this study to be such a gift! Bless you, Lianne!

    • I think we all felt that way at one point or another. I find just reading the Word has benefits–and sometimes God is making a larger point that is more important than remembering every detail of every verse. If you think the Holy Spirit is calling you to remember these names and what they did, then I would make a sincere attempt at doing it, otherwise, be assured that God keeps track of everything so whatever you need from Scripture when you need it, will come to you, even if you are not aware of retaining the information. And more times you read the OT the easier it gets.
      As for pronouncing the names, well I agree that an Audio Bible is your best bet, but if you prefer reading them yourself, just do the best you can- unless you are being graded for it in Bible school, saying the names perfectly isn’t as important as understanding the reason why God included them. I hope that helps.

  5. Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho
    Mahalia Jackson

    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    Jericho, Jericho
    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    The walls come tumblin’ down, Hallelujah

    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    Jericho, Jericho
    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    And the walls come tumblin’ down

    You may talk about the men of Gideon
    You may talk about the men of Saul
    But there’s none like good old Joshua
    At the battle of Jericho

    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    Jericho, Jericho
    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    And the walls come tumblin’ down, Hallelujah

    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    Jericho, Jericho
    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    And the walls come tumblin’ down

    Up to the walls of Jericho
    With sword drawn in his hand
    “Go blow them horns”, cried Joshua
    “The battle is in my hands”

    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    Jericho, Jericho
    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    And the walls come tumblin’ down, that mornin’

    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    Jericho, Jericho
    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    And the walls come tumblin’ down, Hallelujah

    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    Jericho, Jericho
    Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
    And the walls come tumblin’ down.

    Mahalia Jackson is introduced by Nat King Cole, as the greatest gospel singer in this clip. You will have to ignore (or skip) the advertisement at the beginning. It is worth it to hear her sing!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPZuWzZvoYQ

    Hope you enjoy playing this clip, David Mainse. Singing this spirited song, loudly, with you, fine sir! God bless you and keep you, and wrap His loving arms around you. God surround you with His comfort, and give you peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen, amen, and amen!

    God bless you, fellow saints…

  6. Yesterday, Carole Pony Meunier asked a question about the audio not playing into a second chapter when two chapters are listed. I think you said, Carole, that you “just hear silence.”

    Sometimes I find when it is supposed to go into a second chapter, there can be a long delay; but if I just wait, it eventually comes on. Other times, it rolls right into the next chapter automatically, if I don’t turn it off, even if the next chapter isn’t specified. In other words, we can hear all of 1 Chronicles play through on audio from beginning to end if we just let it roll. It is great for short books, such as when we did Ephesians, playing it from Chapter 1-6, straight through. We can hear as much or as little of the bible that way in OT or NT at any time, thanks to the blessing of audio from Biblegateway.

    Hope this helped. God bless you, Carole! <3

  7. Amen fellow bloggers and thanks for your beautiful prayer Scott and the link to Mahalia Jackson’s song…what a powerful voice. Thanks Beverlee.

    I pray that God will raise up men of valor not only in our homes but in our government and country.

    May God bless each of you today.

  8. Hi fellow-bloggers , Scott thank you for your prayer and Beverlee Kay the words to that song. Please pray for me as I will be taking care of a little boy for the first time.you Thank you and God bless each one!!!!

  9. Thanks David and Scott for those great prayers. And thank you Beverley for that link. I also played Aretha Franklin’s song, “Precious Lord, Take my Hand” and had a great time dancing, clapping and shouting here in my kitchen realizing the “Commander of the Lord of Hosts” was in our midst and He can do anything. The Lord give you strength, Colleen and may all of you be blessed today!

  10. As usual, David, you bring clarity and relevance to these difficult portions of scripture. For once, I believe , by God’s grace, I will be able to make it through the Bible without missing any of the “tedious” portions. Thank you for your faithfulness in following God’s call!!!

  11. Dear David M . and precious fellow bloggers
    I also pray for everyy man of every age to come together in unity supported by all the woman around them and be the Valiant men that God called them to be through the the Sword of the Word. In Jesus name Amen and Amen .
    Thank you so much Beverlee for your help on the audio . I actually use The NIV. Bible in my bedroom when I am in bed . Really enjoyed Mahalia Jacksons beautiful singing .
    Thank you Scott for your wonderful prayer .
    David M. It was so great to see you with Brian Warren thats what I think God means about Valient men.!…
    Xxx Carole

  12. What a blessing filled time here today, from David M’s words through to the prayers and links to music and all the comments by everyone.
    For the next 8-9 days I will be away from all modern conveniences such as TV, internet and cell phone, so I am going to miss my daily time here and will be playing catch up when I get home again.
    Have a great week everyone. 🙂

  13. How apporpiate to mention a valiant man ,just afew days before Fathers day,Oh that all men would take leadership and take the Head of the Familly serious,
    My husband eewhen we were first married sat back and left me say grace at
    the table before meals , I was not used to that….so Ihad a heart to heart with
    him ,so now he is saying Grace…It’s a blessing to have the man of the house to
    be the HEAD of the house..Amen . Thankyou all bloggers sure love to read your
    comments….And wish a Happy Fathers Day to you all GOD BLESS you…R…

  14. Permit me to make a comment about the importance of all the Hebrew names being listed in the History books of the O.T. The name of the person describes his/her personality. When a person’s character changed, he was given a new name. ( Jacob – Israel, Saul -Paul ,etc. ) So if we take the time to look up the meaning of the name, we learn a lot about him. The most exciting exercise we did with a College and Career class a number of years ago was in the study of the Book of Nehemiah. We wanted to know how did parents name their children in Babylon 70 years after their deportation there, so the grandchildren of those taken in the captivity. It was such an inspiration how those names expressed their faith and trust in JHWH to deliver them and give their children names of Hope and longing for their Homeland. That study was far from boring and gave
    an insight into what is in a name. In our Dutch background the tradition was to name children after the grandparents in exact order and the exciting discovery was always, as children grew up, they looked the most like the grandparent they were named after. Too bad that that tradition is gone. We loved to give friends those name-plagues that explained the meaning of their new-born baby’s name and the Scripture verses where those names were found. So Bible names are there to be studied. ( We confess that we did not take the time to do that now in our Chronicles study, as seniors think that we are too busy ! ) Bill Lensink

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