As a little girl, one of my favorite games was tent camping. I would take a sheet outside, drape it over the rails of the porch or a branch of a tree and use sticks to stake it up. I would build a pretend fire and play outside at my camp site all day.
One of my favorite activities is camping. I love the sights and sounds of nature. I enjoy the simply pleasures of cooking over an open fire and sleeping outside. I am NOT a "camper" girl. Give me a tent and a sleeping bag. Ahhhhh, come on, let's make it more fun and just sleep outside under the stars. But, a confession is necessary here. Although I can talk about being able to enjoy sleeping on the ground, my body has long since past the ability to do so. Just the thought of the pain that would be mine the next morning keeps me from actually attempting it again. Not to mention, my husband Tony would whine about the bugs, heat and dampness, which would take all the joy out of the adventure. Nevertheless, I can remember back to childhood camping trips on labor day weekend and even a few times when Tony braved the elements with me so we could give our children a few tent camping memories.
This morning I studied a few places in scripture where the word tent or tent like structures are mentioned. I was overtaken with worship for my Lord when I realized his goodness to me in leading me to study this topic.
Isaiah 40:22 "It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in."
The Lord of Creation stretches out the heavens, much like I did with that sheet. He holds them by his unseen forces, allowing me to dwell here. All is safe and warm in the tent with my Lord. Even if the rains come and drench everything inside, he has the plan and will help me dry off and dry out and be ready for the next beautiful adventure with him.
Isaiah 54:2-3 "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cord, and strengthen thy stakes. For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited."
It was his will to enlarge his tent of habitation to include the Gentiles. Praise his holy, wonderful and loving name. He included me and wants me to dwell with him for all eternity. Until that day, I can find refuge under the shadow of his wings. There, I am preserved as the apple of his eye, his joy and his delight.
Psalm 17:8 "Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings."
His pavilion gives me a place to rest and rebuild my relationship with him.
Psalm 27:5 "For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock."
I may never be able to enjoy tent camping again, but I can camp out with my heavenly Father. I can tabernacle with him and experience the all same thrills.
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