Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Tim Gustafson wrote today's reading and it's titled A National Camp Out.

We camped under the stars with nothing between us and the infinite West African sky.

No need for a tent in the dry season, but the fire

was crucial. Never let the fire go out, Dad said, prodding the logs with a stick. Fire kept wildlife

at a distance. God's creatures are wonderful, but you never want a leopard or a snake meandering

through your campsite.

Dad was a missionary to Ghana's upper region, and he had a knack for turning everything into a

teaching moment. Camping was no exception. God used campouts as a teaching point to his people, too.

Once a year, for an entire week, the Israelites were to live in

shelters made of branches from luxuriant trees, from palms, willows, and other leafy trees.

The purpose was twofold. In Leviticus chapter 23, God told them,

All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters,

so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters

when I brought them out of Egypt.

But the event was also to be festive.

Rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days, says verse 40.

Camping may not be your idea of fun,

but God instituted a one-week camp out for the Israelites as a joyful way to recall his goodness.

We easily forget the meaning at the heart of our holidays. Our festivals can be joyous reminders of the character of our loving God.

He created fun, too.

The scripture reading for today's Our Daily Bread Devotional is from Leviticus chapter 23 verses 33 through 43.

...