May 19: WHERE IS YOUR TENT PITCHED?

Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. Genesis 13:12

Abram’s emergence from Egypt in possession of great riches beautifully symbolizes God’s faithful when they, by faith, emerge from the fog and confusion of worldliness to enter into the clear teachings of God’s word. There is an abundance of great riches to be gained, including apostleship for obedience to the faith (Romans 1:5), grace and peace (v.7), the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), every spiritual blessing . . . in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), which includes forgiveness and redemption (v.7), along with His promise to supply all [our] needs (Philippians 4:19).

By the Holy Spirit’s direction, John the Revelator cited Egypt and Sodom as fitting symbols for this fallen, wicked world (Revelation 11:8). And though you and I currently reside here – in a world that has fallen under the sway of Satan – we are bidden to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). In the past, we walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). Each of us is given the power to choose where to pitch our ‘spiritual tent’ – that is, to stake our claim of citizenship either in this soon-to-be-destroyed world or in God’s kingdom. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you, saying, “Where is my spiritual tent pitched?” If we stake a claim to citizenship in the kingdom of God, we yield to Him, allowing Him to bear us up, soaring high above the dark clouds of this world’s trials and storms, just as an eagle soars above a frightening thunderstorm (Exodus 19:4). Above the storm is a crystal blue sky, awash with pure sunshine.

Abram had moved his tent . . . and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the LORD. Genesis 13:18

There is a wonderful symbolism to be discovered in terebinth trees. Their physical attributes include tremendous strength and resilience, made even more remarkable due to the incredibly deep root structure that enables its widespread limbs and foliage to withstand drought. Another distinctive feature is its ability to produce new branches from its stump after being cut down. These features symbolize hope, and the Bible associates them in the proximity of divine encounters, altars, landmarks, and battles.* The terebinth tree is used as a symbol for the unbroken remnant that God has faithfully maintained throughout the course of human history. This unbroken remnant lived in the past and lives today by dependence upon God’s imputed righteousness: the righteousness which is from God by faith (Philippians 3:9).

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Romans 1:16, 17; 4:3

*Genesis 18:1; 35:4; Deuteronomy 11:30-32; Judges 6:11; 1 Samuel 17:2; Isaiah 6:13