Many times we are too familiar with Bible stories we read. We just quickly go over something with the attitude we already know it. What a tragedy! What a blessing we miss to move forward. Sometimes people have so little spiritual drive to see the unfathomable riches and ways of God, they are content with the surface things they already know.
Read carefully the meeting between God and Moses at the burning bush Exodus 3. Was it a natural event, like a volcanic eruption that could be observed for hundreds of miles? No! Moses was accustomed to the wilderness and had seen about all natural events there was to offer. Moses draws near and the Creator, the God of his father, of Abraham, Issac and Jacob not only spoke but called him by name. Unaware of the awesome presence of God, Mose moves in while God observes and knows his every thought! Moses was standing on holy ground being the presence of God.
What do we learn just from this? First, the fire on this bush did not need to draw off the fuel of the bush to burn! God is self sustaining!! Here we see the God who calls does not depend on any person or substance for His existence. God does not need any of us to do anything for Him!!! We sometimes think He does! He can (and will) accomplish His will if we cooperate or if we do not cooperate! We need Him to be close to us, to depend on Him completely for our existence and needs in life each and every day. We cannot sustain ourselves.
The God of the burning bush is our God! The bush God used was not burned up. This shows us the power and might of God. We are taught and instructed by God, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (I Cor. 10:13) We find ourselves tempted, desiring to sin, to be drawn back into the world of death, yet we find a faithful God, a self sustaining, all powerful God giving us a way out of the situation if we would only look and draw near. We can be tempted but God will not allow us to be "burned up" if we will look to Him for the way. He alone can sustain us, not ourselves or our professional lives, our smarts and skills! It's not a "nobody understands what I am going through" attitude! It's a life lived for and in the presence of God.
But there is more. Look around you at other brothers and sisters. You will never know the depth one goes through to keep food on the table, to endure ill health or endless abuse at the hand of a mate, yet they continue with a steadfast spirit, encouraging our hearts while we wonder where they get the strength to endure such difficulties. How can they keep such good attitudes? We see them and wonder just how they survive their difficulties. We see it in little children with deadly diseases and ill health, but their bright eyes, their cheerful hearts and no notion of fear touches us deeply. Take note: They are standing on holy ground, in the presence of an all sustaining God, drawing from His resources. When we are around such people, we too are standing in the presence of God! Maybe we need to reflect on such things and "remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
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