Aug
20
2012
Holy Ground
Posted in Worship 2 Comments
This weekend I went to a wedding.
The son of my dear friend got married.
I taught this young man in Sunday school years ago.
It was one of the things he reminded me as he gave me a hug.
I teased him…that he couldn’t possibly be old enough to get married.
But he is!
He married a precious young woman who loves the Lord and loves her new husband.
As it should be!
I didn’t feel old…I felt fulfilled…as if something came full circle.
A young boy who was trained by his parents in the way he should go.
He didn’t depart from it.
The bridesmaids came down the aisle.
Lovely blue dresses…each girl carrying one lily.
The anticipation grew as all eyes were facing the beautiful bride, on the arm of her father.
I noticed that each girl was barefoot.
I have seen high heels, sneakers, flip flops, cowboy boots…but never something so natural.
I pondered…not so much what it actually meant.
That I may never know.
I pondered what it meant to me.
That I do know.
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 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.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. (Exodus 3:1-6)
Take off your sandals for the place where you are standing is holy ground.
There it was!
Holy Ground.
That is exactly what marriage is…what God designed it to be.
God instituted marriage in the garden.
It is not good for the man to be alone.
God made a helper suitable for him.
The man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife.
They will become one flesh.
God told them to be fruitful and increase in number…to fill the earth and subdue it.
God’s word says that marriage is a profound mystery…talking about Christ and the church.
A Christ centered marriage reflects Jesus to the world.
As the world looks at the sacrificial love of a husband towards his wife, they get a glimpse of the way Christ loves His church.
Holy Ground.
Jesus’ first miracle was at the wedding feast of Cana where He turned water into wine.
The master of the banquet was amazed that the choice wine was served last instead of first.
He remarked to the bridegroom…You have saved the best till now.
Ordinary water…becomes choice wine.
Ordinary man…ordinary woman…becomes God’s chosen instrument to reflect His Glory.
Each, in their purity, saved the best till now!
Holy Ground.
Instead of viewing marriage as holy, many have trampled it underfoot.
Many think it is a decision you make after you have done everything else.
Many put marriage off for various reasons.
They approach marriage in a “ho-hum” kind of way.
They forget what God said.
Marriage as God designed is Life producing, Kingdom building, Christ reflecting.
Marriage is a gift to be preserved…to be cherished.
Marriage is to be protected.
A Christ centered marriage is holy ground because of God’s presence and activity.
God identified Himself to Moses as “I AM”.
I am who I am.
The God who will be with you.
No greatness on our part…but rather greatness because of the presence of God in our lives.
Holy Ground when I AM is present.
Barefoot in humility, awe, and respect.
Two becomes one in the presence of the great I AM!
The bride and the bridegroom reflecting the Bride and the Bridegroom.
Today, a wedding.
One day, the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.
Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb…beautifully dressed for her Husband. (Revelation 21:9,2)
Barefoot…no doubt…standing on Holy Ground.
This is breath-taking — to be shown and reminded of the surpassing mystery of Christ and His church in the power of a man and a woman entering God’s holy estate, to enter upon His holy ground. On the stage of creation the Creator and Redeemer are writ so very, very huge; in His crown of creatures, who are made in His image and bought with a price, is the unveiling of His glorious eternal purpose. How our God condescends for us to know and understand Him and how He is exalted at the same time.
Well expressed, Gina.
Michelle,
My dear friend…thank you.
May we always continue to point each other towards our Lord Jesus…may we always find Him in the whispers.
Gina