Moses and the Burning Bush

Recently I was studying Moses and the burning bush, boy was I surprised when Priscilla Shirer used that as a reference as we are studying the roll of the Holy Spirit in our lives and how to know when God is speaking to us. And yet, I was not surprised because God truly does know how to get me to hear when a message needs to be heard and this was one of those times! In discussing Moses’ calling I thought this was something you would all get meaning from as well so below are some thoughts I wanted to share with you about Moses and the burning bush as per my study.

If you recall Moses was in the desert herding sheep when he saw the burning bush, his curiosity got the better of him and he had to go “see it for himself”, lets face it, how could a bush be burning yet not turn to ash or anything around it catch on fire. In a hot desert that’s a miracle in and of itself. To say that God’s presence was in the bush is yet another miracle of how he can physically present himself to us! From Exodus 3:1-7, 10 we can learn many things about our own calling. Moses did not have to go check out the bush, he could have taken other’s words for it and just figured oh well, it’s a freak of nature but that’s not what happened. What’s even more astonishing is that he left his job to go see the bush, got there, realized he was on holy ground, took off his shoes and stayed to have a conversation with God. In those days, people believed that if you had that kind of encounter with God you would die, because no one could see God’s face and live. God knew how Moses would react before he even got there, so he said, “take your shoes off and come hang out with me for awhile while I tell you what you are going to do for me.” Just as a side note, by this time Moses was 80 years old!

Do you remember why Moses was in the desert? There was a contract on his life for killing an Egyptian so he fled, for 40 years he lived in the desert as a sheep herder and then God revealed himself. Why not a few years into Mosses’ exile, why 40 years later? Because we all need desert seasons in our lives to become equipped to fulfill God’s calling. I am thanking God right now for those desert seasons and the ones to come because not only will they make each one of us stronger but the lessons we learn will help us lead others through their own seasons and equip us with God’s mighty word to minister to others.

How does God equip us? First of all, he equips us with dedication. Each new circumstance in our lives teaches us a dedication to Him, His word and prayer, we learn that without those three things the circumstances can virtually become unbearable, with those things we are given a mighty strength that comes from God, alone. We are his creation and God prepares these things ahead of time so that we can walk in his word when the time is at hand (Ephesians 2:10).

The second thing God prepares us with is directions. God uses what we are involved in now to prepare us for the future. In Jeremiah God tells us that He has plans for us, plans for a hope and a future (Jer. 29:11). Every single thing you deal with today will prepare you for something you will have to deal with tomorrow.

Third, God equips us with a destination. He leads us to the mountain and into His presence, in the midst of our circumstances he stands beside us and says, “here I am, lean on me”, much like the footprints poem, in the times we are most alone, he is carrying us, He knows the real you! He says, “You are worthy and I love you”. He promised us in his word that we would never be alone. John 14:15-17 tells is that the Holy Spirit will come so that we will always have someone with us, reminding us of God’s truth. It also tells us that all of this is preparing us to one day stand before God’s presence and hear him say “well done good and faithful servant”.

So don’t miss the burning bushes God is placing in your path, when you see the supernatural markers God has placed before you how do you react, with dread, or with an open heart willing to receive the lesson? When you encounter the voice of God it is because he wants to develop intimacy with you. Take off your shoes and worship! Zephaniah tells us in chapter 3 that God is singing over us, that he is our strong warrior here to save us! Psalm 25 tells us that He will plan only the best for us and that if I keep my eyes on him I won’t trip over my own feet!

His plan for us will change the course of our lives. Our life plans are tucked into the plan that God has for the whole universe. In John 4 when Jesus meets the women at the well, he already knew all about her, because of that encounter she went back to her village and witnessed. The entire village became believers because of one conversation at a well. When Saul was converted in Acts 9 and renamed Paul, he became one of the greatest biblical evangelist and wrote more of the books of the New Testament than any other believer, all from one encounter on a dirt road when he was persecuting Christians. We have absolutely no idea how our encounters with God will change our lives but if we are willing to meet him, our lives will be changed. Moses met him at a burning bush, where will you meet him today?

I am praying right now for each one of you as you deal with your burning bushes, let God lead you where he is calling, the rewards will be far greater than you can ever imagine!