“That was quite a rain storm we had yesterday,” I commented to Stan one morning.
“It was,” he replied. “Haven’t seen that much rain for a long time. Also haven’t seen kids have that much dirty fun for a long time either.”
“Dirty fun? What kind of dirty fun?”
“Mud,” was Stan’s one-word answer. “There’s a vacant lot down the street that turned into a mud hole yesterday and attracted kids from all over the neighborhood.”
Continuing, he added, “After the rain stopped, I was out in the front yard doing some cleaning up and I heard the mom next door come out and say to her son something I hear God say to me all the time about me and my faith walk.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“As the child was getting to the front porch,” Stan said, “his mom met him and said something like, ‘You’re not coming in the house with those muddy shoes; take them off’.”
“And God says that to you?” I asked.
“He sure does,” Stan replied. “And it seems to me that God said kind of the same thing to Moses when Moses was out herding some sheep.”
“God told Moses to take off his muddy shoes?” I responded. “When was that?”
“Well,”Stan said, “that’s not exactly what God said, but I think that’s what he meant when He told Moses to take off his sandals for he was on holy ground.”
“Oh,” I responded, “is that when Moses saw God in the burning bush?”
“That’s it,” Stan replied. “Holy ground. Moses was on holy ground. And it seems to me that any time I come before God I am on holy ground and He wants me to approach Him accordingly.”
“Approach Him accordingly?” I said. “How’s that?”
“As the holy God He is,” Stan said. “I’m not supposed to barge into His presence without taking the time to prepare. I’m to take off the muddy shoes and everything else about me that is contrary to Him. Empty myself of me and walk on His holy ground.”
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Bible verses to consider:
When the Lord saw that he (Moses) turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said to him, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing in holy ground.” Exodus 3:4-5.
And the captain of the Lord’s host said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for this place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. Joshua 5:15.
. . . it I written, “You shall be holy for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your absolutely holiness and for placing in me your Holy Spirit to help me live the holy life you intend. Thank you, too, that you want me to approach you knowing I am on holy ground and I am to act accordingly. I confess that too often I barge into your presence and do not treat you or the ground before you as holy. Please forgive that approach to you. Please help me in following every step of your lead so I approach you only as you deserve and as you intend. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you approached the holy ground of God in the sense of having accepted His free and gracious provision of life eternally in His presence when your time here is completed? If no, why? Whether or not you have the assurance of salvation and redemption, do you approach God knowing that you are on holy ground? If you sense the need for change in how you approach God, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 