ODJ: being found

January 4, 2015 

READ: Exodus 3:1-15 

“Here I am!” Moses replied (v.4).

Ihave a friend who has wounds so deep that she resists the compassionate love of others. Caring people have reached out to my friend. They would give their lives for her (in fact, in many ways they’ve done precisely that). Yet she runs from their love. She fears being loved. The love offered to her is so strong, and her heart so weak, that it terrifies her. It seems safer just to stay in her cocoon.

Moses had faced much loss. His first days out of the womb were traumatic; he was rescued from a murderer. Then he was separated from his family and raised in Pharaoh’s house. Finally, he had to flee after he killed an Egyptian who was beating one of his Hebrew brethren.

Now, years later, the Scripture says Moses was in the wilderness. This word described the geography, but it also described Moses’ life. He was far from home, far from his people, far from his normal life.

In this wild place, Moses happened upon a burning bush—a bush that remarkably didn’t burn up! Moses drew closer. A voice cried out from the burning bush, “Moses! Moses!” (Exodus 3:4) He took another step, and the voice thundered: “Do not come any closer. . . . Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground” (v.5).

As if this wasn’t enough to rattle the man to the core, the voice then introduced Himself as the God of his ancestors! Moses stood in the presence of the Almighty. His response? “He covered his face because he was afraid” (v.6).

God had come to Moses and would compassionately care for him—just as He had done for decades. As He comes to us today, may we be open to His strong love. —Winn Collier

365-day plan› Genesis 6:9-22

MORE
Read Exodus 3:11-14 again. Why was Moses afraid to go back to Egypt? What was God’s answer to his fear? 
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Does the idea of an encounter with the Almighty make you tremble in any way? What is it about God’s power or love that terrifies you?