Today's Scripture readings: Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Exodus 6:1-13; Acts 7:35-42
Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. –Psalm 51
We were all around fifteen years old, and this surely would be the best week of our lives. All of us were the best of friends headed to a week-long youth camp in the mountains of NC. Lake Junaluska would provide a setting like no other, and we would be learning and worshiping alongside hundreds of other youth from around the South. Of course, all the actual lodging facilities had filled up long ago, but we thought camping in tents just added to the excitement. We would not be stuck in some hotel; we would have campfires and s’mores, singing and telling stories under the starry mountain skies.
Once we arrived at our campsite just across the road from the Junaluska entrance, we found that things were a bit rocky and not exactly level. Our enthusiasm was interminable, though, and we pitched our tents as best we could amid laughter and playfulness. Life was as beautiful as the scenery that first night – so beautiful, in fact, that I didn’t really mind the rock just between my shoulder blades. I reasoned that I must have a bit of a princess bloodline because that pea-sized rock felt like a boulder. Still, the atmosphere was light and happy, and we slept soundly… until the first sound of thunder rumbled in the distance.
The rest of the week was spent in what I assume was a NC monsoon which filtered mudslides right through our soaked tents and penetrated all our clothing. We were wet, we were filthy, and we were cold. A scourge had descended upon our tents.
I not sure that’s exactly what the psalm writer meant in today’s scripture, but my mind’s eye wandered right into that memory when I read the text. No evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. And why? Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place.
I love that we have constant reminders throughout scripture that when God comes first in our lives, we are safe. As our shelter and the place we live, all other matters are secondary.
The curse of muddy tents is a faint memory that briefly returns from time-to-time, but the changes of heart that occurred during that one youth week have followed me throughout my life. I reflect on the presence of the Holy Spirit whom I recognized in the times of worship. I remember the purity of the music which warmed my heart. Those memories feed my soul and drive my pursuit of Jesus every single day.
Precious Spirit, continue to move in my life and work with me. May my way of living glorify you and bless others. Amen.
Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. –Psalm 51
We were all around fifteen years old, and this surely would be the best week of our lives. All of us were the best of friends headed to a week-long youth camp in the mountains of NC. Lake Junaluska would provide a setting like no other, and we would be learning and worshiping alongside hundreds of other youth from around the South. Of course, all the actual lodging facilities had filled up long ago, but we thought camping in tents just added to the excitement. We would not be stuck in some hotel; we would have campfires and s’mores, singing and telling stories under the starry mountain skies.
Once we arrived at our campsite just across the road from the Junaluska entrance, we found that things were a bit rocky and not exactly level. Our enthusiasm was interminable, though, and we pitched our tents as best we could amid laughter and playfulness. Life was as beautiful as the scenery that first night – so beautiful, in fact, that I didn’t really mind the rock just between my shoulder blades. I reasoned that I must have a bit of a princess bloodline because that pea-sized rock felt like a boulder. Still, the atmosphere was light and happy, and we slept soundly… until the first sound of thunder rumbled in the distance.
The rest of the week was spent in what I assume was a NC monsoon which filtered mudslides right through our soaked tents and penetrated all our clothing. We were wet, we were filthy, and we were cold. A scourge had descended upon our tents.
I not sure that’s exactly what the psalm writer meant in today’s scripture, but my mind’s eye wandered right into that memory when I read the text. No evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. And why? Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place.
I love that we have constant reminders throughout scripture that when God comes first in our lives, we are safe. As our shelter and the place we live, all other matters are secondary.
The curse of muddy tents is a faint memory that briefly returns from time-to-time, but the changes of heart that occurred during that one youth week have followed me throughout my life. I reflect on the presence of the Holy Spirit whom I recognized in the times of worship. I remember the purity of the music which warmed my heart. Those memories feed my soul and drive my pursuit of Jesus every single day.
Precious Spirit, continue to move in my life and work with me. May my way of living glorify you and bless others. Amen.