08/24/2022
We lead incredibly hectic lives these days, so separating ourselves from the turmoil of today’s modern life to a place where we can spend personal time with God, and Jesus Christ, must be intentional, purposeful, and made to be routine. Are we in the habit of doing this? Do we have quiet times, and calm peaceful places, where we can sit praying, waiting, and listening in silence to hear the low still voice of God each day? God calls such places where we are separated unto Him Holy, and when we visit Him there we are asked to remove our shoes, and thus He makes us holy too.
“Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
Acts 7:33 ESV
Do we seek these places, and find them to be sanctuaries? Do we recognize them to be holy, even though they are in our home, our car, our church, and even in faraway places that we find ourselves visiting as we travel the world? We need to look about us and identify these sacred islands in every worldly place we find ourselves. In these holy escapes we move past the roar of life, and into the quiet reaches of every desert, the silent places in cities, and the gentle currents of each river we travel. Do we seek such places and times? Do we desire to be holy?
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.”
Psalm 46:4-5 ESV
It was 6:07 in the morning and as I was sitting alone on the fantail of the cruise ship “Panorama”, as it was moored along the shoreline of the Rhine River in Cologne Germany, when a river barge heading down river coasted by as if sailing on air. I watched her quietly slip past, and as the tug cleared me I saw the Latin inscription “Deo Gratious” painted across its stern… “Thanks be to God”. I sat there for a good while as a light mist swirled over the Rhine, and contemplated this message, and basked in the quiet of this moment with God. After a few minutes another tug came by, this time from up the river, and there, painted on its bow, was the single word “Anda”. Curious now, I looked up the meaning of this word and found it was the Swedish word for… breath. I repeated the word “Anda” in a breathy whisper, letting the wind that carried it slip gently over my tongue, then silently thought about the breath of life that God had breathed into us, and how the Holy Spirit had been breathed onto the apostles. When at last my thoughts had grown still once more, I took a deep breath into myself, then thanked God for my life, our conversation, this quiet morning with Him, and breathed in, and out, the love, and holiness, contained in what He had just given me. I knew this revelation was for me that morning because my grandchildren call me “Andad”... Consecrating, or separating things to be used by God makes places, times, and yes, us, to be holy.
““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah”
Psalm 46:10-11 ESV
As you read this devotional today did you find yourself identifying the holy places in your life where you could find yourself separated unto God, and in His presence each day? When you read this did you begin looking about for those places that could present themselves to you as sanctuaries? Are you contemplating taking off your sandals, removing your shoes and socks, or kicking off your boots, and listening for God’s voice?
“And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my Lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.”
Joshua 5:14-15 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for guiding me to the holy places in my life where I can meet with you, and for hearing my prayers, and the longing silence of my soul, as I wait patiently to feel your presence. Thank you for meeting me in these places, and speaking with me there. I praise your name for your bold shouts that shake me, your still low voice that settles me, and your whispers that speak lovingly to me of goodness, righteousness, and your Holy nature. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who anoints me with a measure of your holiness as I walk barefoot, and talk with you in our solitary places every day. Praised be your name for speaking to me in the deserts, the closets, on the rooftops, and as I sit praying over, and looking out at the rivers in my life. Wash me clean with the precious blood of your Son Jesus Christ that I might be forgiven, found worthy, and free of sin. Give me living water to drink so that I might have eternal life, and stand in your presence forevermore. Seat me at your table Father, and feed me with the Holy manna of your Word for eternity.
“And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?””
1 Kings 19:11-13 ESV
Rich Forbes