"A Burning Bush"

In Ex. 3 we have Moses caring for the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law. Moses had fled from Egypt to the land of Midian. He named his own son Gershom, which means 'a stranger there.' Moses was in exile, separated from his own people. This was an ordinary day that Moses met God in an extraordinary way. With sand in his clothes, hair and teeth, parched land, the whispering of the wind, the smell of sheep and the heat of the day, he was confronted with God in a burning bush. It was no ordinary, natural event! Moses called it 'a marvelous sight'.

The voice came from the bush. God called Moses by name! Then the next words spoken were words to recognize God as holy and His dwelling was holy! There is no need to proceed with anything until the holiness of God is recognized. It hit Moses in the heart and made him afraid to look any longer!

A burning bush! A holy burning bush! A burning bush without any need of external help to keep burning. Moses had lit fires before tending his flock and knew that one must keep wood on the fire for it to continue. Not this fire. The bush remained intact and the fire was taking its strength from and depending completely on God! A self-sustaining flame of fire. Here is God, who depends on no one for His existence; who isn't kept alive by the power or strength from those who worship Him! We need to realize that statement alone. God does not need man to sustain His being!!! We need Him to sustain us! May we never depend on a god who depends on us.

A burning bush! A holy and powerfully sustained burning bush! It shows us the power of God that He can sustain anything, anyone with the power of His might. To come to our God, depending on Him and the strength of His might, finding yourself not destroyed or beaten, but completely dependent on His sustaining power. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." (Eph. 6:10) We have seen such in brothers and sisters in Christ. They depend on God for their lives and strength daily. Many go through prolonged suffering without being destroyed. People who depend on the strength of His might that refuse to be embittered at others or situations. Brethren who refuse the approaches of hurts inflicted by others because they seek God in righteousness and sincerity. Haven't we seen them? Haven't you been around such? Maybe we need to remove our shoes, realizing we too are standing on holy ground in the presence of a holy God who gives His strength and power to those who truly love Him and follow with their heart. I am presently watching an individual go through such difficulty caused by another that many wouldn't believe and yet, they have such an inspiring attitude, a love for God, a conviction not to be deterred from their faith no matter how they are treated. It makes me think to remove my shoes because I am standing on holy ground while in their presence!