Daily Devotional – October 30-November 5
October 30 – Meditating on God’s Word
This devotional series offers less content but more opportunity for you to reflect, contemplate, and pray through the short Scriptures we offer. It is an opportunity to help us slow down and enjoy time in the presence of God. It is an exercise in listening with the intent of hearing from God through His Word and by His Spirit. Here is the passage for the week:
Exodus 3:1-5, Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
Prayer: “Father, even though we may be in the wilderness, even the far side of the wilderness, You know where we are, and You come to us. Even when our past actions have caused us to be in the wilderness, You still care for us and call on us to be used in Your grand plans and purposes. You have a way of getting our attention! This is Your love for us! Even though we have sinned, You still come seeking us. Give us the courage to speak up and say, Here am I. Help us to recognize that wherever You are is holy ground. That means wherever I step! Amen.”
October 31 – Meditating on God’s Word
Exodus 3:1, Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
Write out the Scripture. (As it is or in your own words.)
“Now Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, who was the priest of Midian. He led the sheep to the far side of the wilderness where he came to Horeb, the mountain of God.”
Observe what it is saying. (Answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions)
Moses was a prince turned shepherd. Because he killed an Egyptian who was mistreating a Hebrew, he was found out and had to flee for his life. He ended up in the wilderness where he became a shepherd for his father-in-law. Even though he went to the far side of the wilderness, he came to what would become known as the mountain of God. There may be times when we think we’ve gone so deep into the wilderness there’s no way out, but God right there with us.
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
I can’t out-wander God.
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
“Father, thank You for being with me in my deepest wilderness days. Amen.”
November 1 – Meditating on God’s Word
Exodus 3:2, There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.
Write out the Scripture.
“There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.”
Observe what it is saying.
God has a unique way of getting our attention. This is the only time in Scripture that God appeared in a flaming bush. Beyond the strange sight of a bush on fire, it wasn’t consumed. It was a miraculous demonstration. Moses would go on to perform many miracles by the power of God as he led the Israelites out of slavery into freedom. Not only does God get our attention but how He does so, may indicate something of His message.
Relate it to your life.
I need to be more observant to the ways in which God shows up in my life.
Do something.
“Father, help me to pay attention to how You are revealing Yourself to me. Amen.”
November 2 – Meditating on God’s Word
Exodus 3:3-4, Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
Write out the Scripture.
“Moses thought, ‘I’ll go over and see this strange sight-a bush that doesn’t burn up.’ When the Lord saw that he’d gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’”
Observe what it is saying.
God got Moses’ attention in order to speak to him. God uses a variety of methods to speak into our lives- Scripture, people, sermons, a prophetic word, studies, dreams, events, miracles, answered prayer, Holy Spirit whispers, etc. God is continually at work getting our attention.
Relate it to your life.
God is speaking to me in a variety of ways. Am I paying attention?
Do something.
“Father, help me to pay attention and listen as You speak into my life today. Amen.”
November 3 – Meditating on God’s Word
Exodus 3:4, And Moses said, “Here I am.”
Write out the Scripture.
“And Moses said, “Here I am.”
Observe what it is saying.
Moses heard the voice calling his name. Of the 7 billion people in the world, God knows us by name! He knows where we are. He knows about our past failures. He knows our future potential. He comes calling by name because He cherishes each one of us and chooses to use us to advance the cause of His kingdom into the world. Whenever God comes calling, our response is to be like Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, and every other faithful person to obediently and lovingly acknowledge God by saying, “Here I am.”
Relate it to your life.
God knows my name! That in itself speaks volumes about who God is and His delight in me.
Do something.
“Father, may I respond to Your love and Your desire to use me for Your great purposes. Amen.”
November 4 – Meditating on God’s Word
Exodus 3:5, “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
Write out the Scripture.
“’Don’t come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals for where you’re standing is holy.’”
Observe what it is saying.
If Moses would’ve encroached any further, he may’ve been consumed by God’s holiness! It’s important for us to recognize the holy ground upon which we stand. If we’re a sincere follower who has been redeemed by Christ’s life and given the the Holy Spirit, then anywhere we stand is holy ground! Because we have God dwelling within us, we become the holy ground of God. This is among the most astounding news our faith teaches.
Relate it to your life.
I am the holy ground of God because of Christ’s presence dwelling in me.
Do something.
“Father, may I remember that I’m home to You and treat my whole being (my body, mind, and soul) as the holy ground it is. May you be honored and celebrated in my life today. Amen.”