Spending time in nature can bring us closer to God’s creation. Let’s explore some Bible verses that inspire us during our camping trips. These scriptures remind us of God’s presence in the great outdoors and help us appreciate the beauty and peace found in His world.
Bible Verses about Camping
Exodus 33:10 – The Lord’s presence in the camp
“Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent.”
Numbers 9:17 – Following God’s guidance in the wilderness
“Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.”
Psalm 4:8 – Finding peace while camping
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 27:5 – God’s protection at the campsite
“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.”
Psalm 34:7 – The angel of the Lord camps around His people
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
Psalm 121:8 – God watches over your camping journey
“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 91:1-2 – Finding refuge under God’s protection
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'”
Psalm 78:14 – Guided by God during travel
“He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night.”
Nehemiah 8:16 – Setting up tents for worship
“So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves temporary shelters on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God, and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim.”
Genesis 12:8 – Building altars while camping
“From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.”
Genesis 26:25 – Worshiping God in temporary shelters
“Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well.”
Jeremiah 29:5 – Prepare yourselves even in temporary homes
“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.”
Acts 18:3 – Making a living while camping
“And because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.”
Isaiah 54:2 – Expanding your campsite
“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”
2 Samuel 7:6 – God’s presence among tents
“I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling.”
Exodus 14:19-20 – Divine protection during camping
“Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them.”
Deuteronomy 1:33 – God’s presence in your camping journey
“Who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.”
Joshua 4:19 – Setting up camp after crossing Jordan
“On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho.”
Exodus 33:7 – Making a place of worship in the camp
“Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the ‘tent of meeting.’ Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.”
John 1:14 – Jesus dwelling among us
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Hebrews 11:9 – Living in temporary shelters
“By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.”
1 Kings 17:2-4 – Sustenance in the wilderness
“Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: ‘Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.’
Deuteronomy 31:15 – God’s presence in the camp
“Then the Lord appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood over the entrance to the tent.”
Isaiah 40:22 – God’s dominion over the world
“He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.”
Numbers 24:2 – The beauty of the camp of Israel
“When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him.”
Psalm 15:1 – Living in God’s tent
“Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?”
Psalm 27:4 – Seeking in the Lord’s sanctuary
“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”
1 Corinthians 3:16 – Being God’s dwelling place
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”
Revelation 7:15 – God’s people dwell with Him
“Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.”
Hebrews 8:2 – Jesus the minister of the sanctuary
“And who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.”
Psalm 84:1-2 – Longing for God’s courts
“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”
Psalm 91:9-10 – Making the Lord your refuge
“If you say, ‘The Lord is my refuge,’ and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.”
Psalm 61:4 – Seeking refuge in God’s tent
“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”
2 Corinthians 5:1 – Our earthly tent, our body
“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”
Joshua 3:3 – Moving out from the camp
“Giving orders to the people: ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.’
Psalm 118:15 – Joy in the tents of the righteous
“Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: ‘The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!'”
Ezekiel 37:27 – God’s dwelling among His people
“My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Proverbs 3:23-24 – Safety and rest during camping
“Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
Numbers 2:2 – Camping by tribes
“The Israelites are to camp around the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard and holding the banners of their family.”
Psalm 34:8 – Experiencing God in every place
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
Also Read: 40 Bible Verses About We Have Come This Far by Faith
What Does the Bible Say About Camping?
When we think about camping, images of tents, campfires, and the great outdoors often come to mind. Interestingly, the Bible includes several references that align with these activities, particularly in the context of the lives of the Israelites.
One of the most notable examples of camping in the Bible is found in the story of the Exodus. As the Israelites journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land, they spent a considerable amount of time living in tents and camping in various locations. This period of wandering in the wilderness was a critical time of growth and dependence on God. The Book of Exodus describes how God provided them with manna from heaven and ensured their needs were met as they moved from camp to camp (Exodus 16).
In the New Testament, there are fewer specific mentions of camping, but the practice of setting up temporary shelters, especially during important festivals, is still evident. During the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), Jewish families would construct and live in temporary shelters made from branches and leaves, commemorating the time their ancestors camped in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:42-43). This tradition celebrated God’s provision and protection during their journey.
Additionally, the concept of pilgrimage often included camping elements. Pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for the major feasts would commonly set up camp along the way. These journeys fostered a sense of community and shared spiritual experience.
Camping also holds spiritual significance in the Bible. It’s an act that reminds us of our temporary state on this earth and our dependence on God for sustenance, direction, and protection. Just as the Israelites relied on God during their travels, we too can reflect on our reliance on God during times when we step away from the comforts of home and engage with nature.
Through these stories and traditions, we see that camping in the Bible is more than just a physical activity. It is intertwined with themes of provision, community, reflection, and spiritual growth. These biblical accounts encourage us to consider how our own experiences in nature can draw us closer to God and remind us of his everlasting provision and care.