The forests of eastern Ontario are
susceptible to fires in the hot summer months, especially if there has
been a drought. The Fire Ban prohibits campfires and burning of brush;
even a tossed aside cigarette butt can ignite the forest. Most dreaded
are lightning strikes, so unpredictable. My sister-in-law saw a plume
of smoke from such a strike, billowing from the trees, as she was out on
the lake in a boat. However, the fire rangers were there to quickly
extinguish the blaze.
The prophet Moses witnessed such a wildfire. "One day Moses was
tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian.
He led the flock into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of
God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from
the middle of the bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was
engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. 'This is amazing', Moses said to
himself, 'Why isn’t the bush burning up? I must go see it.' When the
Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the
middle of the bush, 'Moses! Moses!' 'Here I am,' Moses replied. "
(Exodus 3:1-4 ESV)
Moses, once the Prince of Egypt, was now a simple shepherd of
flocks not even his own, in a desert wilderness. He had been working
for his father-in-law for forty years in this capacity. Apparently,
spontaneous combustion of resinous desert vegetation is not uncommon,
but the burning bush Moses saw was not being burnt up, and it ignited
his own curiosity. He turned aside from his work to investigate, in
amazement, and had a face to face meeting with the God of Israel which
would not only transform his own life, but change the course of history.
Even though he was forgotten by the world, it seemed, Moses was
not forgotten by God. A refugee from Egypt, he was led to the family of
the priest of Midian, lived among God-fearing people, and travelled to
the mountain of God, finally to meet with God Himself. Interesting, God
didn’t speak until He had Moses’ attention, and came closer. Although
the man didn’t see anyone in the burning bush, he heard His voice in
there, calling to him.
When you feel forgotten, in a wilderness wondering what has
become of your life, remember that you are precious to God and He will
guide your steps, if you listen and come close to Him. The burning bush
is the symbol of the church, the people of God who may be under attack
and afraid, but not destroyed, because God is in our midst. Don’t be
afraid to approach Him, the Holy One, in reverence and thanksgiving, for
His salvation and guidance throughout your life.
Prayer: Thank you, O Lord, for Your revelation of Yourself to
Moses, and to us through Your holy Word. We praise You because we are
precious to You, and guided through our lives by Your wisdom and
provision. Amen.
Shirley Moulton
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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