I love the vivid imagery used in scripture.
Here’s an example from Proverbs 14:11.
“The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.”
Three contrasts exist in the short verse.
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House vs. tent
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Wicked v. upright
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Destroyed vs. flourish
What stirred me to comment briefly this morning were not the latter two contrasts, but instead the first.
“House” is generally associated with something more enduring than a tent.
And yet, the “tent” is the one that flourishes.
What’s up with that?
Solomon used symbolism, of course, in crafting these words.
I don’t believe he was referring to a tangible, brick and mortar structure, even though he could have.
And I don’t believe he was referring to a literal tent made with fabric that never failed.
Instead, I believe he was speaking of legacy, of family line, of heritage, of enduring testimony.
If you live to please yourself and your worldly peers, you’re going down.
Literally and figuratively.
The fact is that you can’t stand up to the world unless God holds you up.
Even the evil have their day when other worldly people turn on them.
But God never turns against those who have turned their hearts toward His eternal promises.
If somebody knows that he or she is a short-timer on this earth and lives as if his or her life here is just a temporary, portable tent, their minds and hearts will be focused on pleasing his or her Father in heaven.
After all, that’s where they are storing up treasure that God will use to build for them a mansion over the hilltop.
Our primary reward of faith is not in things of this world, but in the blessing of God’s presence in the next life.
Be content with a tent of a life, my friend.
It’s not as fancy as that belonging to so many others, but it will more than do, considering what is awaiting you on the other side.
As you live for God and love others, some of them will want to join you inside your tent of faith.
Won’t that be great, knowing that your tent helped others to experience a flourishing faith?
As always, I love you
Martin
