GAD
Suggested Reading: 1 Chronicles 5-6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A Camel from Petra, Jordan, ready and waiting to give tourist a ride through history...
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 5:25
And they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers, and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.
“Unfaithful!” To be full of faith is to be true to God in every aspect of our lives. No compromise with anything that would draw us away from God. Today’s reading shows us that even though we are not always faithful, when we are in trouble, we can still call upon the Lord in earnest prayer, and He will step in as we invite Him to do so. Chapter 5:20b tells us that, “They cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.” Imagine, they captured 50,000 camels, along with other live stock. God remains faithful!
In Chapter six we learn of the importance of “the service of song in the house of the Lord.” In Psalm 100:2 we are told to “serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.” Just a few days ago in our reading in Ephesians 5:18-19, we were told to “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with our hearts to the Lord.” This is important to God. Therefore it should be important to us!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Thank You Lord for hearing and answering the prayers I offer to You each day. I cry out to You in the heat of the battle, and also when all is at peace. Please give me more grace so that I may be constantly faithful to You. I make melody with my heart to You! This is a time for singing and music. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I find that the thoughts that come to my mind (I confess to wandering thoughts in these chapters with so many hard-to-pronounce names) are, as they say, “off the wall.” When I read about the tribe of Gad (5:11), I thought of my minister when I was 6 or 7. His name was Rev. Stuart Woodland. My Dad was away because of the war, and the minister felt some responsibility to do what he could to help my mother to raise me well. He would threaten me by saying, “David, you be a good boy or I’ll take the gad to you.” I never found out for sure what a “gad” was, nor did I want to know. There was a twinkle in Rev. Woodlands eye when he said this, but I still took him seriously. I did learn well from the Bible stories we read every day that God does send punishment for wrongdoing. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10a).
One of my favourite scenes in “Journey to Christmas,” a Crossroads documentary production, is when our travellers rode the camels through the desert, experienced a sand storm, and spent the night in a Bedouin tent. Click here for a taste of life as it may have been back in the days of 1st Chronicles.
Yours for continuing to read and learn, in spite of 1000+ strange names,
David
Once again, today’s scripture reading reflects a meticulous order in the way they were written and compiled. God is of course a God of order, therefore His Word also reflects his imprint, structure and order. Those who wrote the words were very attentive to it’s accuracy, for they believed this was an important service to God and to future generations. There was also a need to reflect continuity, that’s why this geneological effort was so critical to the ancient Hebrews.
To us, it may seem a dry and burdensome read. I’ll be the first to admit, I’d rather be back in Ephesians than in the arid Chronicles; however it’s ALL God’s Word and I trust there’s nuggets of wisdom even in the difficult readings. We just need to be diligent and continue to commit, for God is faithful and will always speak a Word to a willing and committed heart.
I’m thankful that Reverend Woodland never had to follow through and give you the “gad” David!!
The benefit of audio accompanying the written Word really comes in handy in these touch chapters. 🙂
I agree Beverlee – it’s hard to try to pronounce some of the names. I like the audio for chapters like these.
As “all scripture is God breathed,” it’s been an exercise of the mind to follow through to try and pronounce all the names in the genealogy which we read. There remains an ebb and flow of obedience, and as we read the many names, I am reminded how fleeting our lives are. In fast motion and without sense of time, this world must appear to be quite amazing! Have a great day to all!
Poetically said, David! Amen!
Thanks for the trailer to Journey to Christmas, David. Can’t wait to see the full documentary! Yesterday, I shared part of a prayer I wrote based on scripture. It began because of the Prayer of Jabez. I am so grateful for this blog because it brought that prayer back to my mornings. I remember how powerful it was a few years back when a family member went through a stroke. Here is another part:
I know, Jesus, that you have taught me that everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (Jam 1:19).
I know that only your omnipotent words can cancel out potent, destructive words.
For you have said no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper; and every tongue that accuses us in judgment, you will condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from you, Lord. (Isa 54:17)
God, I ask you to work in the lives of ____________________________. Bring them into total restoration, Lord. Fill them with your Spirit and restore their lives completely. And God, I not only forgive them in Jesus’ name but I am radical enough to ask you to bless those who have cursed me. Lord, I love your powerful Words. Father, I choose to replace the harmful words with the Words you have spoken for they are Words of Spirit and life to me.
We are continually with you; you hold our right hand.
You guide us with your counsel, and afterward, you will receive us with honour.
Whom have we in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that we desire other than you, Lord.
Our flesh and hearts may fail, but God is the strength of our hearts and portions, forever.
Those who are far from you will perish; you put an end to those who are false to you.
But for us it is good to be near you, God. We have made the Lord God our refuge.
We feel honoured to tell of all your works. (Psa 74:23-26)
As we do everything for the glory of you, God, (1 Cor 10:31)
We know the Lord is the Spirit, and from the Spirit, there is freedom;
And with unveiled faces, we see the glory of you, Lord.
As though reflected in a mirror, and we are transformed. (2 Cor 3:17-18)
We believe in you, God, to plentifully harvest our souls.
We want your Word and the Holy Spirit to have complete authority in our lives.
On this day and always, we seek to hear and obey you, Lord.
For we are your sheep who follow your lead to the gates of heaven;
And on this day, it is to you, that we lovingly give thanks and praise.
In Jesus’ Holy name, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen!
God bless you, fellow saints!
AMEN Beverlee!!
So true David that the mind wanders when reading through all those strange sounding names, but there are nuggets to be found. I am still here and still reading along with you and the Lord keeps reaffirming my faith with each reading. God Bless you always.
Sally
What fresh manna this whole blog leader and readers alike has been to my soul the last two days and as always. God has a purpose in this geneology as He does for each one of our lives. Like others, I have prayed the “Prayer of Jabez” many times and must continue. Congratulations, David on another year of 100 Huntley St. It was 22 years ago today that Mother and I were at the Opening for the new building in Burlington? This was suppose to be the day of my operation. God gave me fresh faith to pray for healing today using Psalm 139: 13-18 and Mark 11:23-24 and for you David, fellow bloggers and my family for HIS GLORY! Psalm 46:10. God bless you everyone.
We are in agreement with you and praying for your healing Ger!!!
Putting the audio on for the reading really helps with all those names. That pastor who threatened David M could be charged for that today! We were at a specialist’s office today. We saw two small children in two diffeerent areas of the clinic. One was about two and a half and the other one was five and in kindergarten. They were both using Tablets! They didn’t care what was going on in the busy offices. They were very much centered on their game programs. I believe the children of today will be wanting today’s technology in our churches. We have to keep up with their world. Puppet shows, flannel boards might not do it now? What do you think? His Word will not return void – but how will we get them to listen in this time? It was shown on the news last night, babies of two weeks of age are fastenated by a tablet!
That is a tough question. I teach 2 & 3 year olds and they love the interaction with me (I get down to their level and act like a fool and they love it). Tablets are great “babysitters” but you need the whole class participation. I am not against tablets (3 of my grandchildren have them) but for teaching God’s Word and the Bible Stories to little ones, I believe the old fashioned way is best. They love action songs and also acting out the Bible Story.
Despite what Apple, Microsoft and Google will tell you, children will and always will be influenced most by their parents and/or caregivers. If we truly love them and treat them as our Lord would treat them, pray over them and bless them, that will be greatest thing we can do to prepare their heart to accept the Lord. Technology is a great tool, but it will never replace, love, prayer, blessing and relationship in their life.
O Heavenly Father, I pray all the seeds planted in our little ones hearts today, will grow, flourish and never die, as they make their way in this confusing and changing world. Amen
Thank you David M and fellow bloggers for your words of insight. You have no idea how much you mean to me.
I feel the same way!
How easy it is reading and listening to the bible ,what with all those names which are so hard to pronounce, I used to not bother to even try to read them,
P T L for the reader, now I know how they are prnounced .Iam so enjoying
this Bible reading. Thankyou all again toall you bloggers and David M….R..
Dear David M. and precious fellow bloggers
I so agree that no gadget of any kind can take the place of good oldfashioned love actual physical touch and fervent prayers on our little ones .
Could one of you please explain to me why everytime I have two chapters to listen to the first one I hear very well but the second one remains silent I dont get no more sound . Blessed day everyone
XXXX Carole.
Thank you David for all your commentaries, I have just completed my first year, am looking forward to the second……The video of the Journey to Christmas made me homesick for Israel, the trip I took with you last Nov. will be forever in my mind. When I hear about your new trip this Nov. makes me want to go along,
alas!!!! I will just dream on with you…..Keep the blog coming and I pray for your health…Love in Jesus….Claire
Thanks Ruby for your agreement in prayer. I agree with you that interaction with the children with love and prayer in more important than ever in this techological age.
I too so appreciate the audio along with the scripture David M. Thank you!!!!
Beverlee Kay thank you sharing that prayer!!!!!
Dido to all of the comments.
Love and prayers
M. 🙂