Camping with God

“For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that He will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.”- Deuteronomy 23:14

I am not a big fan of CAMPING. Sleeping in tents, using public showers, constantly battling bugs while cooking and eating is not my definition of an ideal family vacation experience. Despite not being inclined to the camping lifestyle, I do love the idyllic locations where campgrounds are found. Whether it is taking a hike, being on a boat, or visiting a small town, there is a rest and refreshing that does my body, mind, and soul good out in God’s creation.

As many take camping trips this summer, we all need to find places to REST IN GOD. In Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.” The concept of CAMPING WITH GOD is not about finding a remote place far away from your regular routines. It is about spending time with God, slowing down to rest, listen, receive care, and discover that He is more than enough.

We live in a culture so marked by rushing and restlessness that the Biblical command to REST is often missed out on. One of the practices that God’s people took part in was MEDITATION. This word has been hijacked, viewed by some as a Far East religious practice that Christians should avoid. Yet, meditation was a means of stopping to acknowledge God’s presence and affirming His commands. In Psalm 104:34 we read, “May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord.” The Psalms also provide us with an important ACTION WORD= “SELAH”. It signals a pausing to reflect on and take in God’s goodness and promises. In Psalm 62:8 we find one of these places (over 70 in the Old Testament) calling people to stop and rest, “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.” (ESV)

Here are some Camping with God excursions you can practice every day, everywhere:

- Take 10-15 minutes to read a chapter in the Bible.

- Plan to arrive to an appointment early and use that time to pray.

- Find time to engage in an uninterrupted conversation with a family member or friend.

- At the end of the day/before bed take a few minutes to reflect on what went well, how God met/helped you, and who you were able to bless.

As you enter the place of God’s presence may you discover an unmatched beauty and security.