01/03/2025
Tears came to my eyes the first morning I read Oswald Chambers' devotional for this day and the Holy Spirit came over me. I felt as though I was experiencing in words what my spirit had been speaking to me for so many years.
"The only possibility of understanding the teaching of Jesus is by the light of the Spirit of God on the inside. If we have never had the experience of taking our commonplace religious shoes off our commonplace religious feet, and getting rid of all the undue familiarity with which we approach God, it is questionable whether we have ever stood in his presence." - Oswald Chambers
God is more than a casual friend with whom we can have trite conversation; He is more than a family member that we can take for granted and think of every now and then. The God we serve is the creator and sovereign ruler of the universe and his love for us demands not only our reciprocation but our obedience, respect, and worship as well.
“Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.”
Psalms 97:2-4 ESV
Often, in our inability to understand Him and our fear of Him, we resort to treating God like a docile and ever-pleasant uncle who gives us childlike rides upon his knee and throws us giggling into the air... only to catch us before we fall. However, that is an immature view of who God and Jesus truly are. Our God is serious about our relationship with Him and His power and depth are beyond our wildest dreams. He is more than a good feeling; He is all reason and justice...He is the law, grace, and mercy, He is undeserved love that leads us to His Son Jesus Christ, and shepherds us into His presence.
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
John 6:63 ESV
We find God in everything we do, experience, feel, smell, and touch. He is in constant contact with us and in prayer He opens up a bridge between our spiritual selves and His physical presence in our lives. He is more than a benevolent elder, He is our sole reason for existing and a love that knows no end.
Sometimes we trivialize God in our worship. We repeatedly sing childish choruses and perform rote liturgy week after week. We convince ourselves that our sins are without consequence and that telling a "white" lie is different from stealing out of the alter plate. We try to reduce God to something we can put into our pocket and feel good about... but He is so much more than that. He is the one who moves mountains when we exhibit faith the size of a mustard seed. He is the one who destroys armies and raises a people. He is the one who can cover the earth in water, and yet forgive Noah. He makes the mountains tremble and can calm the seas... He is the power in our prayers, and His love for us defies all reason.
To understand God is unfathomable, but if we accept Him as our God and bring Him into ourselves, He will reveal Himself to us by small measure each day and give us an understanding of the Spirit and life that Jesus brings to us. Our Father is more than the unconditional love we feel comfortable with, He is wisdom beyond our ability to conceive and justice that is perfect, and sometimes fearful. Are we ready to accept Him as such, and put on a new pair of spiritual shoes?
Prayer:
Thank you, Father, for your presence and guidance in my life, and the blessings you bestow upon me. Father, I pray that your Spirit will reside in me always and that my feet are made naked, or are bound by shoes of righteousness... not the commonplace religious shoes that can feel so comfortable yet are not suited for the journey you would have me undertake today. Lord, never let me forget that you are my God and my sovereign, and that your Word is my rule and never to be twisted by my own need to justify my everyday actions and desires. I pray that today you will open my eyes a bit further and that I will see you more clearly. Father, let me love you, fear you, worship you, and seek you in prayer always. In nothing have you ever abandoned or failed me. Father, I humble myself before you and place my life in your hands, even unto eternity. This is the day that you have made, and that I should not only rejoice in, but is meant to glorify you as I walk through it. Holy, Holy, Holy are you my God who loves me without reservation and teaches me to love others as you do. Holy are you who would rather that I go barefooted than to tread on your Holy Ground in commonplace shoes. I humble myself in your presence Lord and will remove my earthly shoes as I approach you. Clothe me Father in white robes and let the feet of my body, that you have created, be all that touches your holy, sacred, and hallowed ground. You made clothes for Adam and Eve, and I know that you will provide for me now. Should it be your will then make me righteous shoes to adorn my feet and remove the old shoes of man just as you will have removed the clothes of this world from me. Great are you, and greatly to be praise. Worthy are you of all worship, honor, and glory forever, and I pray that you are pleased with me as I kneel before you with my shoes having been left behind. Hear these my words of prayer and let all men say Amen.
Amen
“Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.”
Revelation 6:11 ESV
“Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you [Moses] are standing is holy ground.”
Exodus 3:5 ESV
“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 5:15 ESV
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”
John 13:3-5 ESV
Rich Forbes