An Encounter With a Burning Bush

 By: Joanne Viola

 The story of Moses, and his encounter at the burning bush, remains amazing no matter how many times it is read. Let’s gather around and take a closer look at this experience.

Moses is pasturing the flock of his father-in-law, tending to his mundane daily responsibilities. He looks over to see a bush fully consumed in fire yet, it was not consumed. Intrigued, Moses draws closer to see what was actually occurring.

“When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look,
God called to him from the midst of the bush and said,
“Moses, Moses!”"
(Exodus 3:4, NASB)

God calls to Moses, and calls him by name. And He does the same today for each of us. He specifically calls us by our individual names.

“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; You are Mine.”
(Isaiah 43:1, NKJV)

As the story unfolds, God gives Moses specific directions.

“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)

God longs to direct our paths as well each day.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.”
(Psalm 32:8, NASB)

God then identifies Himself to Moses.  

“He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
(Exodus 3:6, NASB) 

God does the same for us today, identifying Himself as our Father:

“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts,
crying, “Abba! Father!”
Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son;
and if a son, then an heir through God.”
(Galatians 4:6-7, NASB)

God assures Moses He has seen all that His people have gone through, and is concerned for them. He offers a promise and hope for the future. God does the same for us today:

“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord,
‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”
(Jeremiah 29:11 NASB)

From this encounter long ago, we can learn and apply four truths to our lives today:

God calls us each by our name.
God warns and instructs each of us that are His.
God identifies Himself and establishes relationship with us.
God offers us a promise and a hope.

 

Reflection:
Which of these truths do you need to be reminded of today? Perhaps write down the corresponding Scripture on an index card and hold onto the assurance of His Word.

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay