His presence is holy ground

Let us pray. Father, all those words and thoughts that come from Thee, wilt Thou bless them and make them fruitful, and all those words that come not from Thee but from our own vanity, wilt Thou forgive. Amen.

There are moments in life when the ordinary is interrupted by the extraordinary. Times when we are going about our daily routines, unaware that God is about to step into our reality in a way that changes us forever. In Exodus 3:1-6, we find such a moment in the life of Moses. He was tending sheep, performing his regular duties, when suddenly, he encountered God in a burning bush. This moment was not just about fire—it was about calling, holiness, and the presence of the Almighty.

Today, we will explore three key themes from this passage:

God speaks in the ordinary.

He calls us into His purpose.

His presence is holy ground.

Let’s dive into this passage and uncover how it applies to our lives.

1. God Speaks in the Ordinary

The passage begins with Moses tending the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, in the wilderness. This was not a glamorous job. It was routine, mundane, and likely repetitive. Moses had been in Midian for forty years after fleeing Egypt, and at this point, he was a shepherd, not a prince. Yet, it was in this seemingly ordinary moment that God chose to reveal Himself.

Exodus 3:2 says, "And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire but the bush was not consumed."

A burning bush that is not consumed—this was no ordinary sight. But notice that Moses had to turn aside to see it (Exodus 3:3). If he had ignored it, he might have missed the moment God had prepared for him.

God often speaks in the ordinary moments of our lives. He calls us in the middle of our daily routines—while we are working, taking care of our families, or serving others. The question is, are we paying attention? Are we willing to turn aside and listen when God is calling?

Sometimes, we expect God’s voice to come in dramatic ways—through thunder, visions, or miracles. But more often, He speaks through a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12), through circumstances, through people, and through His Word. If we cultivate an attitude of attentiveness, we will recognise His voice in the ordinary.

2. God Calls Us into His Purpose

When Moses turned aside, God spoke to him. Exodus 3:4 says, "And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush and said ‘Moses, Moses.’ And he said ‘ Here am I’’”

Notice the personal nature of God’s call. He calls Moses by name. This is not a general call—it is specific. God knew Moses personally, just as He knows each of us.

Moses had been a fugitive for forty years. He likely thought his days of purpose were over. But God had not forgotten him. Even in the wilderness, even in exile, God had a plan. He was about to call Moses into his greatest mission—to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

God calls us with purpose. No matter where we are in life—whether we feel unqualified, overlooked, or broken—God is not finished with us. Moses might have thought he was just a shepherd, but God saw a deliverer. You might think you are just an ordinary person, but God sees the purpose He has placed within you.

The same God who called Moses calls each of us. Our job is to respond as Moses did: “Here I am.”

3. God’s Presence is Holy Ground

When Moses approached the burning bush, God gave him a clear command:

Exodus 3:5 says, "And he said ‘Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground’."

Why was this ground holy? It wasn’t because of the location itself but because God’s presence was there. Wherever God is, that place becomes sacred.

Moses responded by hiding his face because he was afraid to look at God. This is a picture of reverence and humility. He realised he was in the presence of a holy God, and it overwhelmed him.

We, too, must recognise the holiness of God. In today’s world, it is easy to become too casual in our approach to Him. While God is loving and near, He is also holy and should be approached with reverence.

Taking off sandals was a symbol of humility and respect. What might we need to “remove” in order to approach God properly? Is it pride, distractions, or sin that keeps us from experiencing His presence? Hebrews 12:28 reminds us, "Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe."

God’s presence transforms everything. When we encounter Him, we cannot remain the same. Moses would never be the same after this moment. He was about to embark on the greatest journey of his life because he had stood in the presence of God.

Conclusion: How Will You Respond?

Moses’ encounter with God in Exodus 3:1-6 gives us three things to ponder as we head into the penitential season of Lent:

God speaks in the ordinary. Are we paying attention?

He calls us into His purpose. Are we willing to say, “Here I am”?

His presence is holy ground. Are we approaching Him with reverence?

Today, God still speaks. He still calls. He still desires for us to experience His presence. The question is, how will we respond?

Let us take time to listen, to obey, and to revere the One who calls us by name. Like Moses, may we turn aside from our routines, remove whatever hinders us, and step into the divine purpose God has for our lives, using Lent as an opportunity to draw closer to God.

Amen.