Author: Dave Dishman (Page 211 of 458)

As Moses gathered materials to construct the tabernacle, he called for donations. People gave willingly, so much so the artisans and builders soon possessed piles of goods—more than enough.

One group of women gave up a highly valuable object—their mirrors. Glass mirrors like we smile before today did not exist, so bronze mirrors, highly polished, served the purpose. No small gift, mirrors were hard to come by. But a group of women who served at the entrance to the meeting tent willingly laid them before Moses.

Skilled metalworkers built a washbasin and stand from those mirrors. To purify themselves before going before the Lord, the priests washed their hands and feet using the basin.

As Moses finished the tabernacle he set the washbasin in place. Shortly thereafter the Lord showed up. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

I wonder how those ladies felt, standing next to Moses, watching a cloud of smoke and fire and the Lord’s presence engulf the tabernacle and their washbasin? I imagine they felt their contribution well made. Who needs to gaze into a mirror when the glory of God swirls before you?

A good thought as we make our way in today’s intensely narcissistic society. Devices reflecting us back to ourselves—mirrors and selfies and social media and advertising—distract us from the God who swirls. Like those women back in the day, maybe it’s time to give them up?

Exodus 38 & 40 in reading the Bible in 2023

One reason I like reading through the Bible every year is that I’m reintroduced to promises I forget. I need the reminders I find in scripture. This wonderful passage framed my morning:

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I love the encouragement to lay everything before the Lord. To bring petitions—formal requests—to God. To appeal for what’s on my heart, by putting it all down and telling God about it. Then ask for peace of heart and mind. The best part? The Lord is near. When I’m stressed and anxious, I need that reminder.

There’s no promise here that God will answer my prayers immediately and to my satisfaction. Rather, the promise points to the presence of God in my life—simply remarkable.

I bow to the mysterious at work. This type of prayer may not cure all anxieties I face, but engaging in it (practicing prayer as a discipline) allows me to glimpse the character of the Lord who remains ever close.

Paul’s words encourage me to pray with detail and depth, with audacity, knowing God is near. Then I wait for the guardian of peace to reveal his presence to my heart and mind and soul.

Philippians 4 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Christian Widell

Out of an abundance of caution bugs me. The phrase arose during the height of covid, when the virus raged and everything shut down. It’s a convenient expression to hide behind, because in our days of control, who can blame someone for avoiding harm at all costs?

I wonder if the children of Israel constructed their golden calf out of an abundance of caution?

Sitting at the base of a smoking mountain, where Moses met with God Himself, watching the eruptions and tasting the smoke, they built an idol of a placid cow. Then declared these are our gods who brought us up out of Egypt!

Why?

The God of the mountain overwhelmed all who came near, proving too powerful, too uncontrollable, too wild.

In fear the Israelites turned to the safety of a god they touched, one staring back with make-believe eyes. They watched their masters in Egypt keep the gods in place. So they followed suit and closed their hearts to the blazing God before them.

The story pushes me to look inward. Am I in danger of the same mistake? Do I fear a wild God? Does my desire for controlling my own destiny turn me away from the mountain toward shiny objects I finger contentedly?

I have a hunch that living out of an abundance of caution keeps me from experiencing the fullness of God, and prevents people around me from knowing such a wild, wonderful God exists. Following the Lord means giving up control (as if I ever had it anyway).

Turn to the wild and let God take you where He will.

Exodus 32 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Yosh Ginsu

Often I work better knowing a deadline approaches. A countdown spurs my psyche into action. Even with boring tasks during the workday (like plowing through emails), I impose an artificial deadline—clear this inbox by noon—to motivate me to get to work.

Moses encouraged us to count our days for better reasons when he wrote, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

The older I get, the more I count days. Life shortens, and I want to concentrate on the important things, like family, friends, health, security and meaningful work. The rest of my days may be abundant, but I hope to approach them with insight gleaned from the Lord.

A few lines later Moses shared an nugget of wisdom important to those who number their days. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.

Perhaps I spend my days best when sharing aspects of the Lord’s love and grace with my children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, their children and those that follow, cascading His splendor down generations.

Moses closed his psalm with a prayer, a hopeful blessing for me and you as we take stock of our days:

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 90 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by charlesdeluvio