Author: Dave Dishman (Page 275 of 458)

This morning I read a bit in 1st Samuel, then a chapter in Acts, moving as directed by my annual Bible reading schedule. I glanced down at the plan and noticed one more passage rounding out the day’s offerings—Psalm 23.

I immediately knew this psalm would close my time in the scriptures for the day. How can I move on to something else with these images settling in my mind? Why hurry through the greatest words ever penned to describe the goodness of our God? So I sat still and enjoyed them for a few minutes.

I’m not so good at memorizing scripture, but I memorized this psalm years ago and think of it often—tattooed in my brain. Here’s the version I prefer, New King James, with classic phrasing intact. I hope you enjoy it and let it settle for a bit before moving on with your day:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Daniela Díaz

Sometimes scoundrels and priests are one and the same—Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord.

Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons in question, served as priests to the Lord in ancient Israel. Inheriting their positions, the men took full advantage of their privilege. They bullied people who came to worship and took what they wanted—both sacrificially and sexually.

Various commentators on this passage describe these men as worthless, careless and irreligious, vicious, refusing to acknowledge honor or love, and my personal favorite—unprofitable abandoned wretches.

I’ve known a lot of preachers in my day, but few unprofitable abandoned wretches.

At this time of the year weeds start to sprout in my garden. When I notice, I lean over to tug them out of the ground. But since that’s a hassle, I often move on. Returning days later a healthy, flourishing, nuisance winks up at me. Now I need gloves and a tool to pull the weed and dig out the roots.

Which is how the bad around us thrives. In my life poor influences creep in like weeds, and I leave them underfoot because I’m lazy. Noxious roots sink little by little, deeper and deeper, undermining my good intentions with their spread.

Eli’s refusal to deal with Hophni and Phinehas remind me of my reluctance to seriously consider the influences swirling around me. It’s worth a good, hard look. Little weeds pull much easier than fully mature plants.

I Samuel 2 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Julian

To how many of us might the description unschooled and ordinary apply? Although we secretly aspire to influencer status with millions of followers, most of us are actually pretty ordinary. I know I’m special (in my own way) and I embrace self-esteem etc., etc., but I admit to a level of ordinary-ness that keeps rearing its plain-looking head.

I have gone to a lot of school. So I have that going for me—which is nice.

The ruling council in Jerusalem called Peter and John to the carpet for preaching about Jesus. Filled with the Holy Spirit, their response stunned the council members: When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

I find it easy to underestimate unschooled, ordinary people. It’s mostly pride, I suppose, but also the lack of markings I find compelling. Degrees, position, status and money are a few of the guideposts I refer to when sizing up someone I meet. I keep it more subtle than the members of the Sanhedrin, but it’s ever present.

Peter and John possessed a short resume: They fished, and they were with Jesus. Spending years with Jesus—and being filled with the Holy Spirit—turned men good with nets into apostles who turned the world upside down. How many authors throughout history have been read more than John and Peter? Maybe only Moses.

I try to keep all this in mind. Ordinary is ok, and unschooled is no shame. But take ordinary and unschooled, then add Jesus and the Holy Spirit. That combo lifts even the plainest to undreamed heights.

Acts 4 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Timon Studler

He is risen indeed!

Women hoping to care for the body of Jesus were the first to visit his tomb early Sunday morning. But no body was to be found, only an angel announcing startling and wonderful news.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”

And so launched a new era. Around the world today Easter celebrations bring to mind these faithful women and their angel as the call of He is risen! is echoed by He is risen indeed!

Those saints ran from the empty tomb to tell others of the resurrected Jesus. This set even more people running to spread the good news.

Which pretty much has been going on ever since.

William-Adolphe Bouguereau – The holy women at the tomb (1890)