Dave Dishman

Often snippets of insight lie buried in the genealogical sections of the Bible (I refer to these passages as “begats”). In one such list we discover that after the death of Abraham, his son Isaac settled at a place called Beer-lahai-roi. Why is this significant?

Beer-lahai-roi translates to the well of the living one who sees me. Hagar, pregnant with Abraham’s child, ran away from the harsh treatment of Abraham’s barren and jealous wife Sarah (later the mother of Isaac). An angel of the Lord found Hagar by this spring and blessed her pregnancy. In response Hagar called on the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”

So why did Isaac choose to make this place his home many years later? Perhaps the area was beautiful and supported grazing herds? He certainly heard about Hagar’s encounter with God (not from his mother, who remained jealous of Hagar and eventually banished her and her son). But Hagar or Ishmael or someone else in his community repeated the story of divine interaction.

A spring where an angel of the Lord appeared carried special significance. Isaac heard how the Lord revealed himself to his father and mother as well as Hagar. Perhaps Isaac wanted the Lord to see him? So why not move to a place where it happened before?

Like Isaac, I want the Lord to see me. I pray that God understands my life, the situations I face, my fears and hopes and desires. We all want to be known, and we all share the desire of Isaac to hear from the Lord.

Hagar put her trust in the living one who sees me. Isaac moved his family and entourage of servants and livestock to a place where he believed the living one might see him. He learned that location doesn’t matter so much, as he eventually heard from the Lord elsewhere. But an attitude of seeking does matter—You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

May you and I seek as well. Strive to meet the Lord by praying and reading the Scriptures and lifting your eyes. I pray we gain the confidence to realize that the living one who sees still watches over you and me today.

Genesis 25:11 & 16:14

Photo by Kamil Kalkan

We sell ourselves too cheap.

In a challenging statement Jesus told a crowd of interested seekers, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Choosing to follow Jesus carries a hefty price tag. Taking up a cross is akin to carrying an electric chair on your back. It was an instrument of death. You give up your life so that Jesus can take it and do with it as he will.

The trade-off cannot be more stark. In play is our eternal destiny. Jesus goes on the say, What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

The idea of a soul appears quaint today. Thinkers claim we exist as purely physical beings, accidents resulting from impersonal forces acting over eons and eons. Humankind evolved as soulless beings.

But most suspect there’s more. Plethoras of religions and beliefs span human history. Every tribe and tongue and people group worshipped something, pointing to a deep-rooted need to connect with the divine. Our hearts cry out to reach our heavenly Father, whether we realize it’s him we need or not.

Don’t sell yourself too cheap.

Souls are created to worship. Yours is too exceptionally valuable to give away in exchange for wealth or popularity or success. Offer your soul to the Lord Jesus, and let our amazing God do with it as he will. Then you will enjoy an investment with unlimited returns.

Mark 8:34-38

Photo by Scottsdale Mint

At times the Bible stuns me with it’s up-to-date perspective. For example, Psalm 1 starts out like this:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Modern communication systems create unlimited seats for scoffers. Social media rewards derision and mocking. Debates turn into slander and name-calling. News feeds fill with celebrity gossip and political retribution.

Jesus spoke to this phenomenon. What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.

Look at the words Jesus used and see if they describe what we take in from our phones every day: evil thoughts, deceit, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.

How do I counter this culture I swim in? The psalmist gives the answer—delight in the law of the Lord. Time spent in the Scriptures, reading and thinking about the concepts found within yields unparalleled benefits. From this practice comes the fruit of prosperity and a good life.

Internet trolls are like chaff the wind blows away. No future is found in that snarky world. I’m better served to lay my news feeds and media accounts down and pick up my Bible. By moving off my throne, and taking a humble seat before the Lord, I create a better world for myself and those around me.

Psalm 1 & Mark 7

Photo by Borna Hržina

The evening grew raucous, a sultry woman danced to the crowd’s delight, and John the Baptist lost his head. Of the many despicable stories in the Bible, this one stands out. The girl boldly requested her reward and King Herod, afraid of losing face, immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter.

Not that this death didn’t serve Herod. John constantly prodded Herod about his unlawful marriage to his brother’s sister. In one act Herod silenced John and his carping wife at the same time. Plus, in his brutality Herod instilled fear in those who witnessed this crime and others who heard about it later. Cross this king at your own risk.

The callous murder of an innocent man served Herod. Just as heartless acts benefit those who commit them today. Be it launching wars, cheating at work, or joining social media mobs, callousness serves for a time. But it’s not the way to an enduring life.

John the Baptist’s cousin taught two critical commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

It’s difficult to remain cold-hearted when musing on how I might treat the person in my crosshairs like I want to be treated. The way of Jesus pushes me away from selfish inclinations, but my heart ricochets back. My way is the best way, and in my mind I’m willing to lop off a few heads to get what I want.

In contrast, Jesus directs me to attempt an anti-callous lifestyle. And perhaps, with his strength, I might just do so.

Mark 6:14-29; 12:29-30

Photo by Paul Macallan