Author: Dave Dishman (Page 239 of 474)

The ancients watched the stars far more than I do, and they possessed more knowledge of the heavens than we tend to credit.

Job described the Lord in celestial terms: He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.

Our Creator hung the earth as easily as I hang a picture on the wall. Or as easily as I toss a ball in the air, except the ball doesn’t fall but hangs suspended. Then the Lord maintains the earth’s location and spin and tilt and precise distance from the sun, making this orb the perfect place for life to flourish.

Our lives in particular.

As the Lord orchestrated this heavenly symphony, he added a movement to appear later in the performance. A couple thousand years after Job, a brilliant star emerged. Astronomers from the east —wise men—took notice and followed.

They discovered a newly born king, dangling near poverty, suspended in the mid-air of religion and politics and power, waiting for his time to make lives flourish.

Our lives in particular.

One night this next week the sky will clear and the stars shine bright. Look up with me and take notice. Pay attention to the details of the heavens, remembering the Lord who hung this earth and placed our Savior here among us.

Job 26 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by NASA

I find it easy to kill time flipping through channels or scrolling through my news feed. In my boredom or exhaustion I escape, looking for brainless stimulation to bounce around in my head.

I know there are better options, if I could only rouse myself to them.

When in this mindset David’s words are an encouragement to me: I will not set my eyes before anything that is worthless.

It’s like David curated multiple social media accounts. Why waste time tic-toking or twittering when all the great literature of the world waits at my fingertips? Why watch cat videos when I can access the best films ever produced?

I know why. Worthless screen distractions are eye-catching and entertaining. They pop-up endlessly. They take no work. I’m rewarded with an instant shot of pleasure, a sugar rush for my psyche.

The psalmist prayed, Lord, turn my eyes from worthless things (Psalm 119:37). Such a good prayer in this era in which we live. My time is more valuable than I understand, my mind more malleable.

That’s one of my prayers for the coming year—to turn from the worthless toward the good and valuable and excellent things the Lord put into this world for me to enjoy.

Psalm 101 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2021

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters

I enjoy the cards we receive this time of year, Christmas greetings from friends old and new. I especially like seeing pictures—of friends, their kids, grandkids, even dogs—all that we choose to represent ourselves and our families to others.

The psalmist reminds us of hope for families who follow the giver of Christmas—The Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

This passage makes for a good prayer for our families at this family-focused time of year:

Lord, may your faithfulness continue for my children and grandchildren and to their children beyond them. May each one recognize that you are good and your love endures forever. May they contemplate your goodness in their minds, and feel your love in their souls.

In the midst of the busy and frenetic, we can thank the Lord, remember his faithfulness, and pray for the next generations to recognize and enjoy the same.

Psalm 100 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Annie Spratt

Advertising assaults of buy and buy and buy still more drain my strength.

Cold weather and gray skies drain my strength.

Searching for a garage door opener drains my strength.

Watching the suffering of Ukrainian people drains my strength.

Living in a world often far from the values of the Lord drains my strength.

So I ask the Lord for an infusion of strength, because God makes his people strong.

Then I discover peace paired with strength, because God gives his people peace.

Which reminds me of The Prince of Peace, our bringer of strength, our giver of peace. The one we venerate this season.

Amen, come Lord Jesus.

Psalm 29 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Scott Rodgerson