There should be times in our faith journey were we have encounters with God that are considered special in the eyes of God. In those times God expects that we will “RESPECT” him in a higher way in those encounters. My belief is that many don’t know they are experiencing a special time with God because of distractions in their lives. We can be so caught up in the complexity of our lives that we don’t notice God is doing something special for us and around us.
I know from personal experience there have been times when God let me know after the fact that I missed a special time with him, where I could have experienced some revelation about his character or intimacy with him, because I was preoccupied with other distractions. When you realize you missed an appointment with God it should grieve your heart and soul.
One of the times of a special encounter with God happened to Moses when I think he least expected it. Scripture says “God Caught His Attention” with the burning bush. What’s interesting with is, once God had his attention he was warned to “RESPECT” God by taking his sandals off. God said Moses was standing on holy ground, meaning Moses should give God his complete attention. Moses evidently thought he was just witnessing a natural phenomenon when he was experiencing a special encounter with God that would change the very course of his future.
Exodus 3:5
“Do not come any closer,” God told him. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.”
When God reveals himself in a unique way we better respect it as being special, or else we may find ourselves in a time of discipline rather than impartation that carries great blessings. In one of my failures to recognize God showing up I was being captivated by other believers’ worldly behavior and it was occupying my attention too much. I was angry about their carnal behavior and I couldn’t recognize God’s presence or his voice. It’s not just being captivated by our own bad behavior or heart condition, but we can let other believers steal away our attention from being sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is attempting to speak or do with us personally.
In those times our foolishness may look like righteousness when in truth we are grieving the Lord rather than honoring him. How many believers think they are standing for righteousness when in fact they are standing for carnal judgment cloaked in religious behavior. I think it is so easy to cross the line of walking in the Spirit and the next minute walking in the flesh and not even realize we have shifted our attitude of heart.
It is interesting that the apostle Paul challenges us to “TEST” our faith and not take for granted that we are walking in the Spirit. Paul doesn’t say that now that we are believers and God’s kids we will always be walking in the Spirit, but rather we are to take care so we don’t wander off in the flesh. When I say flesh I’m not talking about being sinful in our attitude or behavior, but rather being carnal without the leading of the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you — unless, indeed, you are disqualified?
In the same way that Moses experienced a special time in God’s presence, his servant Joshua found himself on holy ground as well when he least expected it. Both men were sensitive enough that they could receive God’s words of instruction, even when their lives were complicated. Many of us are often not as fortunate. In special times of a “God Encounter” there is a greater need to to be sensitive to God’s voice and show a great measure of respect so God doesn’t become displeased with us. We should never take for granted God’s grace in our lives, nor special encounters with him that could change us forever if we handle them correctly.
Joshua 5:15
The commander of the LORD’s army replied, Take off your sandals, for this is holy ground. And Joshua did as he was told.
So why did God instruct these two men to take of their sandals? Respect is the objective and taking your shoes off shows you value the place you are entering. I have some friends who live in New York that request I take my shoes off before entering into their house. Because of the mud and snow outside during the winter tracking mud and dirt in the house can damage their floors. They value their floors or carpet and desire to maintain their condition for both wear and cleanliness. Do we consider showing a great measure of respect when entering our church, or places of Christian gathering? Do we show a measure of respect because we know we will be coming before the Lord? I fear, for the most part, we have lost such “PROTOCOLS,” thinking they are out-dated and too traditional. But are they? I like that in most churches now you can take coffee into service, but has that encouraged us to be sloppy in how we approach the throne of grace in our worship services? I think it may without us even realizing it.
The next time you go to fellowship with other believers maybe take a special effort to respect meeting with God. Then maybe you will find yourself in a holy place in which God meets you in a way that imparts his grace in a special way. Maybe enter God’s house with a heart attitude of humility, longing for God to show up in some special way more than you enjoy fellowship with your friends. Maybe God will surprise you.
Will you consider the presence of the Lord as being valuable?
Questions:
1) When was the last time you had a special encounter with God? Maybe it’s because you have a “cavalier” attitude with God when you should have a strong, respectful one.
2) Do you long for God to relate to you as a loving Father? Treat him with special respect and see if he doesn’t warm your heart and soul more than you could imagine.
Working at respecting “Holy Ground,”
Pastor Dale
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