2024. Here. I. Am.
Jill is a retired headteacher and is the editor of Gas Street Devotionals.
Exodus 3:1-5 (NIVUK)
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock... to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush... So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight – why the bush does not burn up.’ When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’
And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’
‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’
As 2024 begins, we're going to look at 5 occasions in the Old Testament when someone replied to God: 'Here I am.'
Where are you at this moment? Obviously, you're reading this! So let yourself be consciously present - this is when you can encounter the living God. Bound as you are by Time, you can only meet with God in the present. Don't miss an encounter with him - it is now he wants to speak of his love for you, to declare his purposes over you, to give you what you need to live the next hours and year to the full.
Sometimes God does something dramatic to get our attention; he certainly did for Moses! Intent on the everyday details of herding annoyingly silly sheep, keeping them safe, checking for ticks and other diseases, searching for active wells and good pasture, suddenly Moses sees a burning bush that doesn't burn up. Moses might have been so preoccupied he missed it or so busy that he couldn't stop to explore this phenomenon. But he leaves the flock and goes close. It's interesting that it's not until God sees him moving close that he speaks to Moses. And as Moses is wholly attentive and present to God, the place where he is becomes holy.
This moment, this place where you sit, lie or stand for you is holy - for God is present. Move close. Be still.
Can you say: Here.... I.... am....
Here: this place, my place, the place you've put me, Lord.
I: yes, it's me Lord, you made me unique, in all my complexity good and bad - a sinner saved by Jesus, you love ME
Am: this moment I declare I am yours; all that I am, I surrender to your love.
Prayer - Here I am, Lord. I may not see a burning bush today but help me to have the 'eyes of my heart' open so I don't miss any glimpses of glory.