Unless the Lord

A Book about Trusting the Lord Through Psalm 127

Christian - Biblical Counseling
136 Pages
Reviewed on 05/18/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers' Favorite

Unless the Lord: A Book About Trusting the Lord through Psalm 127 by Alan Gedde is a great little study of a wonderful Psalm, where the various verses are explained and applied to modern life. Alan is a master at interpreting scripture and then using it to adjust daily living. Along with interpreting and applying, Alan shares fascinating stories of his hunting adventures. His writing aims to show that “Unless the Lord” does it, all we do is in vain. It is God who protects and provides. Society tells us, or at least used to say, that man should protect and provide for his family. I know that is old-fashioned, but it is still considered the norm among many Christians. However, if we desire to be biblical about it, God is the one who offers us protection and provision. Even though we think we are in control, it is biblical to understand our power is only an illusion. God is the only one in control.

Even if you are not a hunter, you will love Alan Geddes's hunting stories in Unless the Lord because he is a master storyteller. He can draw you into the story and make you feel like you are with him; then, he draws a biblical lesson from each story. If you love God and the Bible, you will love this book. While over forty verses in the Bible refer to working hard and being successful, Alan warns us to remember that all work is in vain unless the Lord is in control. When we relinquish control to God, we can sleep peacefully without worry. He discusses children and their importance and includes how we can nurture them in a God-honoring manner. This book will encourage you to surrender all your concerns to God and allow Him to control your life. He is anyway, so acknowledge it and enjoy the results of resting in Him.

Edith Wairimu

Unless the Lord: A Book about Trusting the Lord through Psalm 127 by Alan Gedde is an encouraging and timely Christian guide based on biblical teachings about trusting God. In the guide, Gedde examines the misconceptions he learned as a child and continued to hold onto them as an adult. For example, the idea that we are responsible for our protection and provision exemplifies a misconception prevalent in today’s culture. The work does not discourage commitment and hard work; instead, it challenges its audience to examine why they work and consider the teachings regarding working as the Bible offers. In part two, Gedde expands on how parents can mentor their children effectively and examine what the scriptures teach about parenting.

I found the work enlightening and its advice invaluable. I had read the specific scriptures examined by the author before but still learned so much from reading this guide. I found its messages encouraging, especially since we live in a culture that believes in self-sufficiency and views children as a burden. I appreciated the discussions about parenting and examining the biblical perspective of the relationship between children and parents. The discussions about how Christians should organize their priorities were also eye-opening. I found the anecdotes and biblical accounts included compelling. They helped expand the book’s messages. Unless the Lord by Alan Gedde is a straightforward Christian guide with profound discussions about parenting, trust, and faith, with relevant and life-changing advice. Highly recommended.

Courtnee Turner Hoyle

Unless the Lord by Alan Gedde focuses on Psalm 127 from the Christian Bible. Gedde relates this passage and how he and his wife have applied it to their lives and encourages others to adopt the practice. The book has two parts. First, Gedde writes about his life experiences in line with Psalm 127, drawing parallels in life events around his youth, family, school, hunting, and ministry. In the second section, he focuses on the part of Psalm 127 that discusses children. Gedde examines rearing children with biblical foundations, which involves recognizing the true worth of offspring and not using them to bolster pride.

It’s clear to see Alan Gedde’s direction as he starts this book by showing us the path to salvation. Gedde discusses topics like worry and sleep, familial expectations and realities, and family values and has a hunting story to illustrate almost everything. Although he digresses, his memories make the story more approachable for most audiences. Gedde’s conversational tone keeps you invested in his words until the last page. He relates biblical characters and stories to turning points in his life to show how his faith in God has been a foundation for his marriage and family. Though he focuses on hard work and prayer, Gedde contends that God will provide opportunities for his faithful believers. Unless the Lord is an excellent selection for those who enjoy personal testimonies and scriptural interpretations.

Adanna Ora

Many people read Psalm 127 in the Bible and regard it as a normal psalm, but not Alan Gedde. To Alan, Psalm 127 is not just an ordinary passage in the Bible but is an inspiration that has served as a guiding light in his endeavors. He decided to share the benefits of this message in the Bible in his book Unless the Lord. The book describes the life of Alan, his family, his childhood, and his love for hunting. It relates memories and experiences, which he deems to have only been possible by the grace of God. It also discusses how the application of Psalm 127 has influenced his marriage, ministry, and relationship with his children. Alan makes use of Bible stories and hunting analogies. It is a book that preaches total dependence and trust in God's ability to take care of His own.

One thing I loved about Unless the Lord by Alan Gedde is how personalized the book is. The author was honest in revealing his life experiences and relating them to the psalm in question. Not only does this give a clearer understanding, but it also helps to expand the horizons of the readers. Another thing I appreciated is the way each part of the psalm is broken down and explained. This method was effective in providing insights into the meaning. The Bible stories also helped in this regard. Innumerable lessons can be learned from reading this book, especially about family life. Above all, it helps to strengthen our relationship with God. The author’s opinions can serve as the basis of a healthy biblical discourse. This is truly a well-rounded book and I recommend it to all Christians who want to enrich their lives.

Michaela Gordoni

Unless the Lord: A Book about Trusting the Lord Through Psalm 127 by Alan Gedde is about how this special passage in the Bible has been applied to most things in his life. It is a book full of advice, examples, and wisdom, but it is also about the author and his life as a pastor, hunter, husband, and father of six children. He emphasizes that the belief you can do everything alone and rely only on yourself is not true. Everything, including your life and the lives of those you love, is really in God’s hands. He also shares his struggles and experiences, illustrating how trust in God has helped him navigate life's challenges.

This is an encouraging and thought-provoking read. It was interesting to see how Alan Gedde’s passion for hunting intertwined with the book’s theme of trusting the Lord. He explains how his experiences with hunting required patience, perseverance, and trust, much like our relationship with God. He offers useful advice, biblical wisdom, and personal insights that will resonate with readers of both religious and non-religious backgrounds. I think Unless the Lord will be a relatable resource for married men with families, who in particular may find the book's emphasis on trust in God's provision particularly meaningful. It is a great book for anyone who needs a little help with their faith or trust in the Lord.