3 Minute Read

Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

2 Chronicles 22-24
Acts 7:17-43

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Acts 7:33 (CSB): “The Lord said to him: ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy ground.'”

Reflecting on God’s Word

If you were to ask the average Christian what God told Moses to do because he was on holy ground, they would overwhelmingly respond: “Take off his shoes.” Most Christians are familiar with Acts 7:33, which is a quote from Exodus 3:5.

We know the verse, but have you ever wondered why God told Moses to take off his sandals and go barefoot?

I am unaware of any passage of Scripture that provides the answer. We are left to speculate. But I believe there are at least a couple of reasons that seem to explain why Moses was told to go barefoot.

First, the fact that the ground was “holy” didn’t mean that the dirt was clean. It didn’t mean that there weren’t worms in the soil. What it meant was that the ground was extra special because God was there. The ground was holy because Moses was in the presence of a holy God.

So, why was Moses told to go barefoot at that special place? Here are a couple of reasons that seem to carry some weight.

  • Moses, like the rest of us, came from dirt and would return to dust after his death. So, letting his feet touch the ground was a reminder that he was just dirt, made from the earth. Being in God’s presence should humble us.
  • God didn’t say that Moses was in the presence of holy air or a holy burning bush. God said that Moses was on holy ground. So, God called Moses to take off his sandals to be directly connected to what was set apart for God. The Lord didn’t want Moses to merely acknowledge Him; He wanted Moses to experience Him.

Let’s apply this to us. Where is “holy ground” for Jesus-followers who live in the 21st century? What place(s) should cause us to humble ourselves in the Lord’s presence and seek to experience Him?

Simple answer: Everywhere we go, if we are saved!

The following passage tells us that if we are trusting in Jesus to make us right in God’s eyes, the HOLY Spirit has taken up residence within us. Therefore, anywhere we go is holy!

1 Corinthians 6:19 (CSB): “Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? …”

So, wherever you go today, humble yourself in God’s presence and desire to enjoy Him. You will be on holy ground.

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you to realize so many of the things that are true because His Holy Spirit dwells within you.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into what made the ground holy, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“What does the Bible mean when it refers to holy ground?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of White Hall Baptist Church in Richmond, Kentucky (whitehallbaptistchurch.org)