Daily Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:2-4 KJV
Exodus 3:2-4 KJV
(2) And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
(3) And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
(4) And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
Today’s Devotional Is THE LESSON FROM THE THORNBUSH
MOSES was a man aged eighty-years! He enjoyed Court favor for forty years, the spring-tide in his life. Although he was born in a slave-hut, the son of the palace was a prince. Stephen claims that he was a man of distinction in word and deed, articulate in speech, learned in high culture, accustomed to leading victorious armies on the field or helping to raise pyramids or treasure-cities in peaceful times–all the ancient world had to offer (Act_7,22; Heb_11,24-27). This was followed by 40 years of exile, poverty and heartbreak. He was instead occupied with tending to the sheep of another, and the years gradually faded in obscurity. He was disappointed and confused. His own record showed that when a man lives for more than four-score, it is sorrow and labour, and he would welcome the end of the internet (Psa_90,10).
One afternoon, a common thornbush suddenly seemed to be engulfed in flames. He watched as the blaze burned brightly and he said, “Behold!” The bush was lit with fire and it did not burn. It was no surprise that he rose from the shelter that protected him from the sun and sought to see “this great sight”. He heard an inner voice, familiar to all pure, humble hearts. It told him that the fire was not just a flame but a sign and pledge of God’s Presence.
It is not possible to believe that God was greater in this common bush than in the landscape around it. It was just the focusing of His Presence, which has always been there as it is everywhere. God is just as close to each of these pages readers as Moses was at that moment. This is what you need to remember, your most hopeless, downhearted, and helpless soul. Keep your spirits up! God is there for you even if you are humbled, scorched and at the bottom of your self! He wraps you in his arms, penetrates your soul, and says: “I AM.” This leaves you free to fill out His blank cheque and claim the things you need most. “For the mountains will depart, and the hills will be removed; but His kindness shall never depart from you.”
PRAYER for Today
We are all in desperate need of Thee, O God. We have been disappointed numerous times by the things that we believed would bring us happiness and profit. May Thy Presence manifest to us when we are most focused on our business. We should realize that we are not lost in the desert trackless, but Thou is leading us. Every common bush should be ablaze with God. AMEN.