Standing on Holy Ground
Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5 – NASB)
Two people enjoying time together? Looks like Holy Ground to me.
When we read the account of Moses standing on Holy Ground and being told to take the shoes from off his feet, we are captivated by the dramatic scene and wish, perhaps we could have and experience like that.
I think we are missing the point.
Holy ground is all around us.
There may not be a burning bush and we may not hear God’s voice emanating from it. We nevertheless encounter many situations in life that should cause us to tread carefully; they are just as much Holy Ground as that on which Moses trod. We come across these situations and carelessly pass them by; we do not recognize them as a sacred trust God has brought our way. We are being given an opportunity to respond with compassion, and demonstrate the Love of Christ in them. They, however just seem like the common occurrences of life and we don’t realize they are holy ground to God.
- Two friends enjoying time together
- A friend suffering from depression
- A pregnant teen
- A wayward son or daughter
I don’t think I have to make the list any longer. Each of us come across people suffering varied forms of trouble ans anguish. All we need to do is recognize them as Holy Ground, and respond accordingly.
(6th June 1992)
Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5 – NASB)
I envied Moses as He stood
On Holy Ground back then
And heard the voice of God Most High —
Most privileged of men.
“Why can’t I stand like Moses on
The ground of Holy kind,
And hear the voice of God breathe out
His Words into my mind.”
Such were my thoughts, such my complaint,
In holy reverence prayed,
Whenever I bowed my head to seek
The pathway Christ had made.
And soon the answer sounded forth
Upon my inner ear:
The still small voice of God that said,
“Come listen! Come and hear!
“The Holy Ground of Scripture lies
Within your view, my child.
Take off the shoes of careless thought
Lest Truth be soiled – defiled.
“And then there is the Holy Ground
Of foreign missions, see,
A precious tract of land to Christ
Who said, ‘Come unto me.’
“Tread softly, Christian, on the ground
Where lost souls’ feet have trod.
Take now the shoes from off your feet —
It is Holy Ground to God.
“Where ever you look, both far and near,
You find some holy place.
What’s common ground to careless souls
May be the ground of Grace.
“Perhaps it is your brother’s need,
His mountain of distress,
That you conceive as nothing more
Than mild unhappiness.
It is Holy Ground, don’t dare to walk
Across your brother’s need,
Till Faith and Love have filled your heart,
And Mercy has agreed.”
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Gems of Discovery - Nuggets of Truth 