"…and he led the flock to the backside of the desert
- and came to the mountain of God." (Exodus 3:1)
Hey Gang: A burning bush that does not burn up would
certainly get my attention, but this was just the beginning of a life changing
experience. Awed by this spectacle, profound experience number two
suddenly came out of the burning bush in the form of a voice saying, "Moses,
Moses, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and
the God of Jacob." (vs.6a), How would you handle that? Would that
not blow your mind?
It appears that it did Moses mind: "Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid
to look at God" (vs. 6b). Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote these
words, "Earth's crammed
with heaven and every bush afire with God. But only he who sees takes off
his shoes." Is that not the truth?
The tragedy of wilderness experiences is that we often
miss the lesson God is trying to teach us. James and Paul give us the
good news that, out of every tough experience in our lives, there is a purpose
- it is a potter’s- wheel experience that prepares us for the next, greater
challenge designed, not only brings us closer to the Lord, but also build
endurance for the next trip down alligator alley.
I am sure Moses was not “…considering it all joy" in that first encounter with the God
of Heaven. But I also believe God knew He had the man who would one
day lead His children out of bondage. I do not believe that Moses
was experiencing a transformation of the inner most parts of his heart and
mind, as God gave him this transfusion of faith and endurance, two attributes
that will keep him sane as he deals with the multiple challenges of the
grumbling Israelite children.
Point: Even though we may see the miraculous and, in the
midst of it, hear a voice calling; hearing alone is of no value until we learn
to respond to it. Notice: Moses was alone with God on the top of a
mountain when he heard God's voice. The alone part was essential, not the mountain.
Learning to wait patiently, learning to do today what you
hand finds to do, learning to hear the call of God when it comes and to respond
- that is what the Wilderness is all about. Isaiah challenges us to "wait
upon the Lord" and we
will get "renewed
strength". Our task is to keep our lamps trimmed. We do
not have a clue when night will come.
Soooo, young lads and lassies, waiting for the Lord means we
should become intertwined with Him, braided into Him until we become part of
Him, and He with us. (Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the
branches". Jamie Buckingham, a Sinai veteran, wrote the following: "The call comes only to those
who are busy with the smaller task already assigned. Take a few minutes and chew on that!"
Blessings,
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