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.

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 81 and I still want to be “valiant” (click here for a look at that comic strip).

Yours for becoming a person of valour,

David