Holy Ground
Holy Ground:
I’ve been wondering about this phrase, found in the book of Exodus.
We read, in Exodus 3, about Moses tending his father-in-law’s sheep. It was what most of us would call late in his life. Moses was eighty years old, raised in the Pharaoh’s royal court in Egypt. Now reduced to serving as a shepherd. He noticed a bush burning but not being consumed. This drew his interest so he turned aside to investigate. The angel of the Lord appeared to him in the flames of that bush and spoke to him. “Moses, don’t come near, take off your sandals, you are standing on holy ground.” God used this medium to give Moses a life mission. He would rescue the Hebrew people from slavery.
Back to the holy ground. Had that piece of real estate always been holy? Was the dirt itself sacred? We know from bible teaching that the answer is no. It was holy ground because God chose that place to speak to Moses.
According to Merriam-Webster
Places of Worship:
We consider our churches holy ground – set a part or devoted for the worship of God. And since we are in that holy place, while in church we’re careful to keep our minds and words on what is of God. And we attempt to avoid actions and reactions belonging to the secular world.
Recently, because of quarantine and social distancing, I’ve had to live stream church on television or the computer, attending Sunday worship service in my living room.
On most days, I spend time studying God’s word in my home. I pray and seek guidance in my home. God speaks to me through his word and through prayer, in my home. It seems this may qualify my home as holy ground.
After I’ve finished worship, should I let the profane enter the same space, flowing in from the television, and masquerading as entertainment? Should I revert to old habits reserved for the secular world? Habits I wouldn’t show if I were in the church building?
Hebrews 4:16 tells me to be confident in approaching the throne to find mercy and grace in my time of need. That throne of grace is wherever I meet with my Lord and Savior.
1 Corinthians reminds me that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, forgive me for allowing the profane, into my home, my mind, my habits.
My understanding of ‘holy ground’ is expanding.
Lynne Waite Chapman
I’ve been wondering about this phrase, found in the book of Exodus.
We read, in Exodus 3, about Moses tending his father-in-law’s sheep. It was what most of us would call late in his life. Moses was eighty years old, raised in the Pharaoh’s royal court in Egypt. Now reduced to serving as a shepherd. He noticed a bush burning but not being consumed. This drew his interest so he turned aside to investigate. The angel of the Lord appeared to him in the flames of that bush and spoke to him. “Moses, don’t come near, take off your sandals, you are standing on holy ground.” God used this medium to give Moses a life mission. He would rescue the Hebrew people from slavery.
Back to the holy ground. Had that piece of real estate always been holy? Was the dirt itself sacred? We know from bible teaching that the answer is no. It was holy ground because God chose that place to speak to Moses.
According to Merriam-Webster
- divine
- devoted entirely to the deity or work of the deity
- having a divine quality
Places of Worship:
We consider our churches holy ground – set a part or devoted for the worship of God. And since we are in that holy place, while in church we’re careful to keep our minds and words on what is of God. And we attempt to avoid actions and reactions belonging to the secular world.
Recently, because of quarantine and social distancing, I’ve had to live stream church on television or the computer, attending Sunday worship service in my living room.
On most days, I spend time studying God’s word in my home. I pray and seek guidance in my home. God speaks to me through his word and through prayer, in my home. It seems this may qualify my home as holy ground.
After I’ve finished worship, should I let the profane enter the same space, flowing in from the television, and masquerading as entertainment? Should I revert to old habits reserved for the secular world? Habits I wouldn’t show if I were in the church building?
Hebrews 4:16 tells me to be confident in approaching the throne to find mercy and grace in my time of need. That throne of grace is wherever I meet with my Lord and Savior.
1 Corinthians reminds me that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, forgive me for allowing the profane, into my home, my mind, my habits.
My understanding of ‘holy ground’ is expanding.
Lynne Waite Chapman
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