Author: Dave Dishman (Page 363 of 459)

A cloud rose above the tabernacle from the first day the children of Israel set it up. The cloud covered it by day and at night it looked like fire (Numbers 9:16).

All night long, when the darkness of the wilderness descended, the fire burned.

On an evening stroll, the fire burned. Lying down with worry, the fire burned. In the deepest hours of the night, when the fears of a homeless nation jumped their fences, the fire burned. God reminded the children of Israel of his watch.

Walk outside tonight, when it’s dark, and imagine the fire. Although we don’t get flames, the God behind the fire continues his watch over you and me.

Week ten of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash

Contentment. Hard to find, easy to lose. Like the morning mist burning off under the sun, my sense of contentment disappears in the glare of the world around me.

To be particular, Hebrews 13:5 refers to the love of money. Personally, I don’t love money itself, and I feel super spiritual when I tell myself that. But I do love the things money can buy. Thus, I lack contentment.

The counter to my love for stuff money buys is the presence of the Lord – I will never leave you or forsake you. When I consider these words, when I ponder them, meditate upon them, roll them around for awhile, I edge toward contentment.

Then a rush of advertising and it’s gone again. But I remember it’s there, and occasionally I enjoy living in those moments of contentment, understanding the Lord’s goodness and presence in my life.

Week nine of reading the Bible cover to cover