One of the top ten most transformational books I have read is “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby. I highly recommend the book and Blackaby’s presentation on YouTube.

Dr. Blackaby observes that God is at work in the world. God is at work in every generation, setting people free from bondage to sin and bringing them into a life-giving relationship with him.

God uses people in his redemptive activity. Moses is a primary example of the process.

Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness and came to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God (Exodus 3.1).

Moses worked for 40 years as a shepherd for his father-in-law. He was 80 years old when he encountered God in the wilderness.

There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed (Exodus 3.2).

The early church believed that the “angel of the Lord” was none other than Jesus in his pre-incarnate form. John 1.1-14 supports their belief.

There were occasions in the Israelites’ experience when God set the mountain on fire (Exodus 19.18 and 24.17), but this time he only chose a bush.

I received my call to the ministry while mowing the yard at our family’s home. That seemingly insignificant event determined the trajectory of my life for over 50 years.

No matter how God speaks, we need to be ready to hear. Moses was ready.

Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight and see why the bush is not burned up.”

When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am” (Exodus 3.3-4).

Moses’ experience with God has been repeated millions of times through the ages. God calls people into a similar personal relationship with him that is distinct for each of us.

The reality of a personal relationship is the second component of Blackbys’ “Experiencing God” observation.

#1 – God is at work in the world, bringing freedom and redemption.

#2 – God forms a personal relationship with his followers.

Holy Ground

A few years ago, a meme appeared on social media in the form of “Pal Jesus.” While Jesus is our friend, he is not a “pal.”

If Moses’ experience is what we should expect from a personal relationship with God, we need to view our relationship with Jesus as a holy friendship.

Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”

And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God (Exodus 6.5-6).

Earlier in the day, Jethro’s flocks had walked on the ground where Moses met God. God’s presence changed everything.

Whatever God touches becomes holy and is “set apart” for his use.

Not only did the ground become holy, but Moses became a holy man. His experience with God set him apart for God’s use.

I can take you to the spot in our family’s front yard where God called me into the ministry in 1968. That spot is special to me, but more so is the fact that God set me apart for his service.

Experiences differ, but God’s work is the same.

#1 – God is at work in the world.

#2 – God forms personal relationships with humans.

#3 – God calls us to join him in his work.

Think about It.

Let’s spend a few minutes reflecting on our experience with God.

The encounter with the burning bush marked a turning point in Moses’ life, leading him to become a key figure in God’s plan for humans.

Can you think of any significant moments or experiences in your life that have shaped or transformed your path?

How has your personal experience with God affected your individual journey?

YouTube Video

Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.