Nougat 24

Good day

We have come full circle. I pray that today’s Holy Nougat ministers to each of us even more than before.

“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 ‭3:6‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Can you relate? Coming face to face with God and wanting to disappear? It happened to Isaiah (see Chapter 6), and also Peter (see Luke 5). Even as we consider our own stories of redemption, let us revisit what we know …

God connects with our interests –

When Moses saw the burning bush, as a shepherd, it would have caught his attention. He was in the wilderness, so the threat of the entire area catching fire would present a serious concern until he realized that only one object carried that fire.

God maintains God’s holiness

Moses had to take his shoes off (came as a mere man) before God. In those times, taking one’s shoes off was a sign of respect. It could also be ensuring that the possible distraction was removed. With shoes off, Moses had another confirmation that he was in God’s presence.

God self-reveals

This is where we join the saga; Whereas Moses had strong clues about the force behind the bush; this statement removed every doubt – he was in the presence of the Living God. Note that God’s self-definition is both past and present:

God of YOUR father (could be understood as God of his birth dad, Amram, of the triad of names which father) – keeper (guardians) of the promise

God of Abraham – the first recipient of the Full promise

God of Isaac – the one who was protected from danger to preserve the promise

God of Jacob – the one who confronted his past to inherit the promise

There is one very consistent theme which Moses could not have missed: each of those persons was directly involved with a divine encounter that entrusted them with responsibility for believing and maintaining the promise of God. A man of Moses’s education might realize that he was about to be entrusted with the promise. What we are sure of is that he fully grasped the significance of being in God’s presence.

Interestingly, God’s promise remains true today as it was in the time of Moses. God does have a Land of Promise for us; and has already established us as a special nation. And like the Children of Israel, we have a Sovereign, Who is not of this world, that is, we are God’s nationals.

The call for each of us this and every day is for us to examine the promises, confirm their validity (that God has delivered what God promises), and believing; invite others to join this awesome journey toward the promised land where we can worship forever. And we have ample opportunity to share what we know in this current season.

We may need to receive the promises for ourselves; guard the promise without losing focus during times of lack, wrestle with God or face issues from the past that challenge our ability to fulfill our role; but we are assured that Our God is with us through it all.

Might I suggest that we use this time to draw closer to the God Who sustains us, and in so doing our lives will reflect the glory we have experienced. Even as we pray for an end to the plagues, we thank God for sustaining grace that keeps us even when we stumble.

Blessings to you all – we continue on the journey with Christ.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .