Author: Dave Dishman (Page 199 of 480)

What do you find delightful? I delightfully discovered raspberries fruiting in our garden this week, and after a hot day working in the yard I enjoyed a glass of delightful lemonade. I find my wife delightful, even after all these years of marriage. Times with friends, old and new, form delightful experiences.

But I often overlook a ready source of delight. The psalmist wrote:

I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

I enjoy reading the Bible, and I value my (almost) daily times taking in a portion of scripture. But do I open the book with an expectation of enchantment and fascination?

Beyond the thought, reading the Bible is good for me, lies the realization that inside the Good Book I find the very thoughts and impressions of God. The Lord speaks in a way that’s living and active. His words serve as wise counselors, always available.

The Creator of all delights waits behind the text to satisfy once again. Who wouldn’t want to take a look?

Psalm 119 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by sq lim 

About the only place I run these days is to the refrigerator. On rare occasions I hustle through an airport. I’ve heard of the runners high, experienced when a jogger breaks through a certain barrier and glides along in pleasure. Never got there—I only experience the runners slog. Don’t get me wrong, I walk and go to the gym. But run, not if I can help it.

So I’m impressed by the way the Lord made Elijah into a powerful runner. After his obliteration of the prophets of Baal, Elijah ran ahead of Ahab the king (who drove a chariot) all the way back to the palace, a distance of 20-some miles. Here’s how the writer described the experience:

The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

Must have been awesome to run like never before, enjoying the Lord’s strength and endurance. I think of Isaiah 40:31 where we’re told that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Elijah literally experienced his strength renewed by the Lord. After a long hard day of confrontation, he completed a marathon-length run in sandals over rough roads. Not even a blister.

It’s appropriate to pray for the power of the Lord to touch your life. The promise we read from Isaiah—those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength—remains valid. Hope in the Lord and pray.

Lord give me strength, is no idle wish, but a simple prayer for renewal, one I pray often. Whether we need physical strength, or mental or emotional, the Lord holds the power to help us deal with our challenges and problems, to run and not grow weary.

1 Kings 18 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Jeremy Lapak

A lot of life takes place behind the scenes. Especially when it comes to loving our neighbor and seeking to honor the Lord. Mostly this involves little decisions made over and over. We pray, we fix a fence, we take a meal to someone recovering from surgery, we loan our car, we attend our local church.

Does anyone notice our unremarkable life? Actually, more people than you realize. Even more importantly, the Lord pays heed to the minutia: For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Realize the Lord identifies those who hold to him, and empowers them to follow where He leads. Do the little extra for someone (or lot extra), and stop fretting about who gets the credit.

Focus on staying committed to the Lord, and the need to be noticed will take care of itself.

2 Chronicles 16 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo

Paul underscored an important insight we should keep close to heart:

When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

Jesus saved us not due to our noble qualities or virtuous lives, but due to his mercy. I’m made of dust (not super-dust), and thankfully the Lord treats my dirty self with compassion.

In our world mercy remains in short supply, which throughout history has always been the case. Mercy rarely makes headlines or advances one’s career.

Remembering God’s merciful treatment helps me consider mercy toward others. His mercy involved our rebirth through the Holy Spirit, who now indwells each believer and grants the ability to act with mercy. Paul said:

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Through the energy of the Holy Spirit I can actually develop into a more merciful person. Hard to believe what the Lord might accomplish in our fragile lives.

Holy Spirit, allow me to better understand your mercy, and may I extend it to those in my path.

Titus 3 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Dominik Kuhn