I love this verse from the Message Bible. It comes from Acts 2:26, when Peter was preaching on the Day of Pentecost and he is actually quoting from Psalm 16.
But here is the verse from the Message Bible:
I’m glad from the inside out, Ecstatic; I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope.
Maybe your get up has got up and gone. Maybe you are dragging through another long day. This verse is for you! Everyone goes through valleys and mountain tops!
But this verse reminds me that my joy comes from the inside, because I have pitched my tent in the Kingdom of God. Let me ask you where have you pitched your tent? In camping one of the first skills you need to know is where to pitch your tent?
You want to pitch your tent so you are on soft ground, and you have removed any sticks and stones, and you are not facing the way the wind is blowing, and you want to be near the water. That is just some of the things you want to consider.
In other words, you don’t just pitch your tent anywhere. You are careful to choose the right spot. In life it matters where you stake down your roots. If you stake down your roots in the Kingdom of God then you are going to have a living hope that will spring up inside of you.
People of the Kingdom of God have a living hope inside of them and that allows them to walk through the valleys with the joy of the Lord. If you are dragging today, remind yourself where your tent is pitched.
Let us pray!
Blessings,
Pastor Lee & Gidget Athey