Spiritual formation ∙∙

Spiritual formation ∙∙

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment. – 1 Peter 2:2

Ephesians 4:15 We are to grow up in every way into Christ, who is the head.

2 Peter 1:3-8

3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need to live a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

 5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge,

 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness,

 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

 8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peter Pan was not into spiritual formation. He wanted to avoid any kind of development at all. He had no desire to grow up and become an adult. His goal was to remain forever a child in Never, Never Land.

I won’t grow up; I don’t want to go to school.

Just to learn to be a parrot, and recite a silly rule.

If growing up means it would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree, I’ll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up

Not me!

I won’t grow up; I don’t want to wear a tie.

Or a serious expression in the middle of July.

And if it means I must prepare

To shoulder burdens with a worried air,

I’ll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up

Not me, not I, not me! So there!

We won’t grow up! We will never grow a day

And if someone tries to make it

We will simply run away

I promise that I won’t

No, I promise that I won’t

I will stay a boy forever and be banished if I don’t

What is Christian spiritual formation?

Spiritual formation is the process of developing and growing the spiritual aspect of our personality. For children of the King, spiritual formation is becoming more like Christ. Spiritual formation is a relatively new term. It may be unfamiliar to some believers, but it can be better understood as “maturing spiritually,” “growing in grace,” “becoming sanctified,” or “walking with Christ,”

The Holy Spirit is responsible for facilitating spiritual growth in our lives through spiritual formation. The word of God serves as the bedrock of this process. Studying it and reflecting upon it is at the heart of spiritual formation.

The journey of spiritual formation begins with comprehending the teachings of the Bible and their significance. Once these teachings are understood, they aid in fostering and enhancing the process of mental renewal.

There is no alternative for embracing and internalizing the Father’s timeless truth. This leads to convictions about correct thought and actions. Extraordinarily and inexplicably, an inner compulsion to adhere to the Father’s Word develops within our hearts. It is this conviction that acts as the source of confidence and passion. It is the fountainhead from which all else flows.

REFLECT & PRAY

Spiritual growth is the process of becoming more mature in one’s relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Someone growing spiritually will become more and more like the Lord Jesus Christ.

Father thank You for working to grow me up. Spiritual formation is Your personal goal for me and each child of the King.

INSIGHT

Many children of the King fall in love with His truth. The more time spent in it, the more beautiful and delightful it becomes. There is nothing else like it on planet Earth. Consider your favorite meal and the joy it brings you; that’s the kind of relationship many of the King’s children have developed with the Word of God over time. Once this bond is formed, there is no going back.

Psalms 19:10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.

Spiritual formation cannot be rushed. Spiritual development is a lifelong journey. The natural world around us showcases this process and growth. The more complex and advanced the organism, the longer its growth process. The Father is working for eternity. It is not our concern how much time is involved or how long the process takes. That is totally in His hands.

Many newcomers to faith experience an initial surge of enthusiasm and embark on a rapid spiritual journey. However, this pace doesn’t last. The Father Himself adjusts the tempo.

“When God wants to make an oak, He takes a hundred years, but when He wants to make a squash, He takes six months” (Strong).

Spiritual formation often follows a seasonal pattern. Much can be learned from observing the annual rings of a tree. Some years are marked by significant growth, others not so much. So it is with the children of the King. During the slow times, growth is solidified and strengthened, often through testing and even severe drought.

“Growth is not a uniform thing in the tree or in the Christian. In some single months there is more growth than in all the year besides. During the rest of the year, however, there is solidification, without which the green timber would be useless. The period of rapid growth, when the woody fiber is actually deposited between the bark and the trunk, occupies but four to six weeks in May, June, and July” (Strong).

The Father’s methods involve time and a variety of techniques that are all necessary for spiritual development. “The Husbandman’s method for true spiritual growth involves pain as well as joy, suffering as well as happiness, failure as well as success, inactivity as well as service, death as well as life . . .” (Sanford).

Spiritual growth and transformation are not based upon our striving to get something we do not have. Instead, it is based on the knowledge, acceptance, and reckoning upon what is already ours.

We develop a childlike faith and trust and simply rest in the Father’s loving care, being confident that he who began a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

Biblical spiritual formation is about actively engaging with the Father in His ongoing work in our lives. Our determination, fortitude, and character are often put to the test. The journey may not always be smooth sailing; sometimes, it may seem impossible. Spiritual formation is not determined by the size of the task; it is determined by the amount of effort one puts into the task.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going (John Wooden).

Never, Never Land should be a distant memory. After all, it was a fairytale for children.

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© Dr. H 2024

AFS – Absent Father Syndrome ∙∙

AFS – Absent Father Syndrome ∙∙

Consider the incredible love that the Father has shown us in allowing us to be called “children of God” – and that is not just what we are called, but what we are. – 1 John 3:1 (Phillips translation)

Romans 8:15-16

 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

There is a Missing Father Crisis in America. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 25% of American children, 19.5 million, are growing up in homes without a father. This starkly contrasts the situation in 1960, when merely 11% of children were living in homes without their fathers. The states bearing the brunt of this crisis are Mississippi, which has the highest number of children living without a father in the home, 36.2%, followed by Louisiana, 34.4%, and Alabama, 30.7%. Conversely, Utah, North Dakota, and Idaho have the lowest prevalence of father absence, with rates of 11.5%, 14.4%, and 16%, respectively.

The absence of a father can leave indelible emotional scars on the children left behind, leading to what has been dubbed “The Absent Father Syndrome.” Why are fathers missing? This can be attributed to either the physical absence of the father due to circumstances like death, divorce, demanding work schedules, or a lack of emotional presence. Even when the father is physically present, he is “not there” for his children. In both scenarios, the father is unable to provide the necessary foundation for the child’s healthy character development, self-esteem, and identity, leading to a psychological void.

Compounding the issue is that our relationships with our human fathers, or lack thereof, often shape our perceptions of our heavenly Father. A strained relationship with an earthly father can inadvertently influence one’s feelings toward the Heavenly Father. Transferring those feelings from a human father to God the Father is natural. Thankfully, such damage is not irreparable. The void and ache in our wounded hearts can be redeemed. Understanding and believing Who and What our heavenly Father is makes all the difference in the world.

One of the deepest longings of the human heart is to feel accepted and to belong. One of the profound aspects of our relationship with our Heavenly Father is that we are adopted into His Forever Family and truly become His children. This is hard to grasp fully. We could contemplate it for all eternity and never fully come to terms with the wonder and magnitude of it all.

REFLECT & PRAY

As children of the King, our identity and security are based solely upon being adopted into the Father’s Forever Family.

Dear Father, Abba, help me realize that I am not only called Your child; I am Your child! I belong to You forever! You are always “there for me.”

INSIGHT

It is mindboggling when we recognize that our adoption was not finalized “on paper.” None of us have a physical certificate of adoption. Instead, it took place deep within our hearts and spirits. When we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and accepted Him as our Lord and Savior by faith, extraordinary supernatural events unfolded. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we were born again. Rather than a fragile, destructible certificate of rebirth, our adoption is written down and guaranteed in the eternal word of God.

Romans 8:15-16

 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”

 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

Before our adoption, we were the slaves of fear. But now that the Holy Spirit has come to dwell within us, we have been released from slavery. There is now no need for us to live in fear. What a welcome and blessed relief!

But that’s not all.

We are no longer required to refer to Him strictly as Father. Instead, He becomes our Abba Father. In English, the term “father” can suggest formality, severity, or detachment. This is not the case with terms like Papa or Daddy, which convey a sense of closeness and intimacy. They imply a close, intimate relationship. There is a sense of endearment, a warm embrace with smiles, kisses, hugs, and even a few tickles. That’s what our adoption does for us.

It’s not a sign of disrespect when we address our heavenly Father as Abba. The encouragement and prompting to do so come from the Holy Spirit Himself within us.

Galatians 4:6 Because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”

The phrase, Abba Father, appears again in the New Testament. In the garden of Gethsemane, when Christ is in anguish regarding His coming betrayal, trial, humiliation, crucifixion, and death, He cries out, fervently praying, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Mark 14:36).

Our adoption isn’t something we earn; it’s a gift freely given when we acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.

John 1:12-13

 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

 13 They are reborn – not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

Abraham Lincoln asked, “How many legs does a dog have if you call his tail a leg?” The correct answer is Four. “Saying that a tail is a leg doesn’t make it a leg.”

1 John 3:1 Consider the incredible love that the Father has shown us in allowing us to be called “children of God” – and that is not just what we are called, but what we are (Phillips translation).

We are not just CALLED the children of God; we ARE the children of God!

Some earthly fathers are good, others not so much. A few fathers are great! Our heavenly Father surpasses even the greatest of these; He is magnificent! He desires to foster a relationship with us that is intimate, gentle, and brimming with warmth. He invites us to address Him as Abba. There’s no room for fear when we approach our Papa! What could be less intimidating and more inviting than a Papa? Perhaps only a sweet, loving, and indulgent grandpapa.

1 John 4:18-19

 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

 19 We love because He first loved us.

He seeks to fill the void, the vacuum that so many of us have inherited from our absent fathers.

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© Dr. H 2024

Outrage fatigue ∙∙

Outrage fatigue ∙∙

Lawlessness will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. – Matthew 24:12

John 14:1, 27

 1 Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

 27 I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

We live in what’s commonly referred to as “The Age of Outrage.” Many thoughtful and empathetic individuals are constantly bombarded with distressing national and global events that have reached the point of exhaustion, hopelessness, cynicism, and apathy. This has been labeled Outrage Fatigue. They are simply exhausted from being upset, worn out from the emotional toll of perpetual indignation. It is almost impossible to muster the energy to cope, let alone address these issues effectively. They cannot take it anymore.

It is as though our outrage button has been pushed so many times that it is malfunctioning. Our mental and emotional reserves are depleted. Just when we think situations can’t deteriorate any further, they do. The unthinkable has become the new normal.

In 2018, Ed Stetzer wrote, “Christians in the Age of Outrage: How to Bring Our Best When the World Is at Its Worst.”

Stetzer writes, “Our world seems awash in anger, division, and hostility. We need to decide how to respond. This is indeed our moment to learn how to live like Christ amid the shouting, anger, and hatred. To be sure, there is a lot in this world that is outrage inducing . . .. But this is part of the problem. How do we know when righteous anger has made the turn into unbridled outrage? These questions do not have easy answers.”

“That’s why I wrote this book: to help Christians think through the unique challenges of this age. I’m encouraged because I’ve witnessed so many Christians bringing their best to build the Kingdom of God. The age of outrage cannot and will not distract us from what is true” (Ed Stetzer).

Regrettably, the disheartening reality we see in our fallen world today is nothing new. Throughout history, kind-hearted and caring people have been tormented by mankind’s wickedness and decadence.

2 Peter 2:7-9

 7 But God also rescued Lot because he was a righteous man who was distressed of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him.

 8 Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day.

 9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father is greater than all things on earth and in heaven. He is greater than the wrathful and malevolent people of the Earth. Nothing and no one can rival His greatness.

Father without question, I have struggled with outrage fatigue. You saw these things coming and have provided what is necessary for each child of the King to transcend whatever brings us down.

INSIGHT

Some folks in the world seem to have the “happy” gene. Apparently, their DNA is generously sprinkled with an abundance of “cheer up” written in their genetic code. They bring sunshine with them wherever they go.

The Father God embodies this trait. With the singular exception of the day that the Lord Jesus Christ, His Son, died, the Father never has a down day. He never suffers a setback, disappointment, or disillusionment. He is never taken by surprise.

Even the best of us have physical and emotional limitations. Inevitably, human strength gives out. The Father’s capacity and strength have no such limitations. The Father is greater than our circumstances. He promises to share His strength with us when we are discouraged and need it the most.

Isaiah 40:28-31

 28 Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

 29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

 30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.

 31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

As we grow to spiritual maturity, an amazing internal transformation occurs. We develop the skill to trust Him and depend on Him. His unlimited strength flows into us. It infuses us, empowering us to rise above whatever brings us down.

The events and circumstances that provoke our outrage were known and expected before the foundation of the world. Current events were once prophecies. In the last days, mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts (2 Peter 3:3).

2 Timothy 3:1-5

 1 You should know this, in the last days, there will be very difficult times.

 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.

 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.

 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

“It’s an angry world right now, and we need a grace-filled and gospel-driven response . . . Ed Stetzer shows us how to walk through the minefields of disagreement in winsome and God-honoring ways” (Samuel Rodriguez, President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference). Ed Stetzer offers a fact-laden, research-driven analysis of the chaos and rage of our times. Stetzer takes a common-sense approach and provides the children of the King a means of responding in a wise and refreshingly different way.

2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knows how to rescue godly people.

As children of the King, we want to be circumspect, select our battles wisely, and find strength in His strength.

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© Dr. H 2024

Deborah Warrior Princess ∙∙

Deborah Warrior Princess ∙∙

Barak said to her [Deborah], “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” – Judges 4:8

Judges 4:3-14

 3 Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help.

 4 Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time.

 5 . . . the Israelites would go to her for judgment.

 6 One day, she sent for Barak . . . She said to him, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor.

 7 And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There, I will give you victory over him.”

 8 Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.”

 9 “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the LORD’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.

 14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the LORD will give you victory over Sisera, for the LORD is marching ahead of you.”

The archaeological world was rocked by the revelation that a reputed Viking warrior, long presumed to be male, was actually a woman. This unexpected discovery, akin to unearthing a real-life Xena Warrior Princess, has challenged traditional gender roles associated with the Vikings.

This female war leader was laid to rest in the mid-10th century, her grave replete with lethal weapons and two horses – elements typically associated with male burials. This led historians and archaeologists to initially identify the remains as male. However, a study published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology has debunked this assumption. They were wrong!

In fact, the remains belonged to a woman aged over 30 and of considerable height for the period, standing around 5 feet 6 inches tall, according to archaeologist Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson from Uppsala University, who led the study.

The grave artifacts provide compelling evidence of her warrior status. She was buried with a full arsenal, including a sword, an ax, a spear, armor-piercing arrows, a battle knife, shields, and two horses. Intriguingly, she also had a war-planning game in her lap. It may have been used to develop battle tactics and strategies, indicating she was a powerful military leader. Hedenstierna-Jonson asserted, “She’s most likely planned, led, and taken part in battles.”

The discovery marks the first genetic proof that women were Viking warriors. Osteologist Anna Kjellström of Stockholm University noticed that the skeleton had delicate cheekbones and feminine hip bones. They conducted DNA analysis and confirmed it was a woman, forever altering our understanding of Viking society and women’s roles within it.

“This image of the male warrior in a patriarchal society was reinforced by research traditions and contemporary preconceptions. Hence, the biological sex of the individual was taken for granted,” said Hedenstierna-Jonson. The Stockholm and Uppsala universities led the research. (https://phys.org/news/2017-09-genetic-proof-women-viking-warriors.html)

The book of Judges covers the period between Joshua and David. During this period, 15 judges or leaders ruled over the nation of Israel. It was a truly topsy-turvy time. The judges were often a combination of civic administrators, civil judges, and spiritual leaders. One of those judges was Deborah. As a judge, she held a position of authority that commanded respect.

Deborah was not merely an administrator and judge but also a prophet. She frequently received messages from the Father. She then spoke on His behalf.

Judges 4:4-5

 4 Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time.

 5 . . . the Israelites would go to her for judgment.

How did Deborah see herself (Judges 5:7)? She was “merely a mother in Israel, not a great warrior or even a prophetess, though she filled both of those roles. A mother is an unlikely leader of a successful revolutionary war” (Constable). Yet she becomes a reluctant warrior princess.

REFLECT & PRAY

There is a profound and important lesson here that is seen throughout the Scriptures. When men are unwilling or unable to do the task that the Father has in mind, He will prepare and raise up a woman in their place. This should inspire women of all ages to be faithful, loyal, and available to carry out any assignment the Father has for them. Consider Esther, Ruth, and Mary.

Father thank You that when You have a task to be done, You will rise up and choose the perfect person to get the job done. May each child of the King aspire to be that person.

INSIGHT

Barak was the commander-in-chief of Israel’s army at the time. Once Deborah received the message from the Father, she took the initiative and sent for Barak. She lays out the Father’s battle plan and promises ultimate victory.

Judges 4:6-7

 6 One day, she sent for Barak, son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor.

 7 And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.”

How did Barak respond? He thought the plan sounded great. But he was very reluctant to lead the army into battle. After all, the opposition had 900 iron chariots. Even though victory was guaranteed, he was intimidated. He was frightened, if not petrified. He made a rather peculiar and unusual request.

Judges 4:8 Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.”

Undoubtedly, Deborah was bemused and a tad shocked. At that time and place in history, going to war was man’s work. Women were not directly involved in battles. Israel was a male-dominated society.

Judges 4:9 “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the LORD’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.”

Deborah harshly confronts Barak for his cowardliness. His request not only brings dishonor to him but also shames the entire army of Israel. Today, she might say, “You are a disgrace and a wimp. But for the honor of the Father and the safety of Israel, I will do it.”

When the men of Israel act like children, the Father treats them like children. He literally puts a mom in charge. What classic irony. So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. And the rest is history.

Judges 4:14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the LORD will give you victory over Sisera, for the LORD is marching ahead of you.”

But there’s more.

The Hebrew word baraq is transliterated into English as Barak. Barak means lightning. At the same time, the Hebrew word devorah is transliterated into English as Deborah. Deborah means bee. The enemy was not struck by lightning, but instead, they were stung by a bee (apologies to Mohamed Ali).

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© Dr. H 2024

Here I am – Hineni ∙

Here I am – Hineni ∙

Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight.” – Exodus 3:3

Exodus 3:2-6

 2 There, the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up.

 3 “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.”

 4 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.

 5 “Do lowercase that come any closer,” the LORD warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.”

 6 “I am the God of your father – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.

For millennia, civilizations worldwide have constructed cities, palaces, monuments, graves, temples, churches, mosques, and other awe-inspiring structures. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, remarkable pieces of art and architecture, stand as a testament to human creativity, imagination, commitment, and hard labor.

They are inspiring and often take our breath away. They draw us in by their sheer majesty and uniqueness. Consider the following: Taj Mahal, India; Colosseum, Italy; Chichen Itza, Mexico; Machu Picchu, Peru; Christ the Redeemer, Brazil; Petra, Jordan; Great Wall of China, China.

How do people draw close to the Father? The Father’s assessment of humanity is pretty grim. Some people may strongly disagree. However, His assessment is accurate yet grievous.

Psalms 14:2-3

 2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise if anyone seeks God.

 3 But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, Not a single one!

Understanding the fallen state of humanity, “all have turned away and have become corrupt,” the Father seeks us. He sent His Son to seek and to save the lost.

Luke 19:10 The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.

The Father frequently uses awe-inspiring means to get our attention and draw us closer to Him. As a result, we turn to Him. We embrace and begin an everlasting dance with the eternal.

REFLECT & PRAY

“God can take an insignificant bush, ignite it, and turn it into a miracle, and that’s what He wanted to do with Moses” (Wiersbe). The Father desires to do the same with each child of the King, no matter how small and inconsequential we see ourselves.

Father thank You for loving me and seeking me out. Thank you for never giving up and drawing me to Yourself.

INSIGHT

The Father uses many methods to seek us out and bring us to Himself. He performs miracles using natural phenomena to draw us: violent storms, whirlwinds, plagues and pestilence, the opening of the Red Sea, the burning bush, and ultimately, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He attracts and calls out to us. He piques our curiosity and interest. We are fascinated, captivated, and strangely and oddly drawn. Marvelously, we pivot and begin to seek Him.

Jeremiah 29:13-14

 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

 14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD.

The story of the burning bush is well known. Yet many details are often overlooked. It wasn’t just a burning bush that got Moses’ attention. The angel of the Lord was there too. He was the source of fire that did not consume the bush. He was the one who spoke to Moses from the midst of the burning bush. The bush itself did not say a word to Moses. After all, bushes are not known for their great oratory.

Exodus 3:2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up.

Moses observed and was drawn to come closer because what he saw was impossible in the natural world. The Father initiated; Moses responded.

Exodus 3:3 Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight.”

Moses is the perfect prototype for every child of the King. The Father initiates contact, and we respond.

Exodus 3:4 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.

The repetition of Moses’ name has special significance. In ancient Semitic culture, addressing someone by saying his or her name twice was a way of expressing endearment, affection, and friendship. Thus, Moses would have understood immediately that he was being addressed by someone who loved him and was concerned about him (Stuart).

Moses’ words are few, but they speak volumes: “Here I am!” In Hebrew, there is only one word, hineni, which literally means I am here. On one level, Moses is simply saying “yes.” But a simple yes can often be laden with profound implications. This is especially true when the summoner is Father God. Possibly, Moses isn’t just saying, “Present and accounted for” or “I am here and ready.” Instead, he is exclaiming, “What would you have your servant do?” The Father was not merely calling out to Moses; the Father was calling Moses into His service. Moses was to become the leader of Israel to bring them out of slavery in Egypt. Perhaps hineni is similar to the response of the Cylons, the robot troops from the 1970s TV series Battleship Galactica: “By Your Command.”

Contrary to Hollywood’s portrayal, Moses was no Charleston Heston. When he was at Sinai, he was filled with insecurities. He struggled with self-image issues and apparently some type of speech disorder (Exodus 4:10). Moses wasn’t being modest; he was frightened and ill-prepared for the monumental task that the Father assigned to him.

“What Moses thought of himself, or what others thought of Moses, really wasn’t important. God had spoken, and that was all Moses needed for assurance that he was the right man for the job” (Wiersbe).

Exodus 3:11 Moses said to God, “Who am I . . ..”

The Father’s response should give confidence to every child of the King down through the millennia.

Exodus 3:12 God answered, “I will be with you.”

“‘I will be with you’ is all the assurance God’s servants need in order to succeed” (Wiersbe).

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© Dr. H 2024