Then
he said, “Do not come near,
take
your sandals off your feet,
for
the place on which you are
standing
is holy ground.”
Exodus 3:5 ESV
Recently there has been a video of a
magician circulating on social media. He looks as if his body has been cut in half.
Walking through the park, his video crew captures the reaction of those he
encounters. Some people scream and run, others look bewildered and some,
recognizing a good trick, walk up and shake the magician’s hand. What would you
do?
Moses faced that dilemma as he stood
before a bush that burned yet was not consumed. Not only did he see the bush
burning, but he heard a voice calling out to him from within the bush. “Moses,
Moses!” His response, “Here I am.” God continued to speak from the bush, “Do
not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are
standing is holy ground.”
Holy—a sacred place, a sanctuary, set
apart as dedicated to God. This was a place set apart from the norm because God
was present. Have you ever visited a place that overwhelmed you with the presence
of the Holy God?
On a trip to Europe, we spent the night on
San Clemente Island just off the shore of Venice, Italy. At one time the grand
hotel had been a monastery. At the end of the restored building was a small
church—untouched. Built in the 1100’s, the frescos hung faded and partially
destroyed. In places, the walls crumbled. It was unlike the great cathedrals we
visited in London; Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral where I was
overwhelmed by the history and beauty of the building but felt no connection to
my God.
Immediately upon stepping across the
threshold and into the open sanctuary area of the neglected church, I felt the
presence of God; holy ground. I remarked to the others that God had surely done
something special in that place. Although time had robbed the building of its
once displayed glory, the glory of our Holy God remained. It caught me by
surprise. I wanted to whisper and walk gently—take off my shoes.
That experience reminded me that when I
enter the presence of Jehovah God, I must remember that I am standing on holy
ground; a sacred place. It is no casual thing to bow before the Living God! He
is holy, and I am blessed to be able to come into His Presence.
Today is a good day to remember that we
serve a Holy God! Moses and the Israelites got it right in their song of praise
recorded in Exodus 15.
“Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing
wonders?”
I think you would agree that there is none
like Him for He alone is Holy!
©
JP 2013
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