Most readers are familiar with Exodus 3: 3 where Moses sees the burning bush and God speaks to him. Strangely, the bush was not being consumed and Moses realized something was up. Pun intended. God told Moses to take off his shoes because he was on holy ground.
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If I may be permitted one more 鈥渢ongue in cheek鈥� remark, some have speculated about just how hot the ground might have been. One comedian claimed this passage made the first reference to the name of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament.
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The great truth here is that God had heard of his people鈥檚 cries as they suffered persecution from the Egyptians. Moses is called to lead the Israelites to freedom, though he resists the seeming mission impossible.
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As God鈥檚 people we also suffer in the present milieu that enslaves us in many ways. We hear many gospel singers, and others, echo the 鈥渉oly ground鈥� theme. God still walks with us and the places we meet might well be called holy ground.
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Popular singer Taylor Swift uses the line 鈥淎nd right there where we stood was holy ground鈥� to underline the sacredness and joy of the moment a couple realizes they are in love.
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The thought struck me that when the moment comes that we realize how much God loves us, it is then that we are truly on holy ground. God hears our cries when we pray most dire prayers. He sees our suffering, and then he sends us comfort.
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Another Taylor Swift lyric 鈥淵ou belong with me鈥� comes to mind that could describe our relationship with God:
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find鈥═hat what you're looking for has been here the whole time.鈥ㄢ�↖f you could see鈥═hat I'm the one鈥╓ho understands you.鈥˙een here all along.鈥⊿o, why can't you see鈥╕ou belong with me鈥︹��
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It鈥檚 not a big stretch to say that God makes you laugh, knows your favourite songs, knows about your dreams. God鈥檚 thoughts might well be: Think I know where you belong, Think I know it's with me.
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Another 鈥淵ou Belong with Me鈥� lyric comes to mind from Patsy Cline (this may date me):
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See the pyramids along the Nile鈥�Watch the sunrise on a tropic isle
Just remember darlin' all the while
You belong to me
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Yes, the same God who delivered the Israelite along the Nile is here to deliver us from our slavery, whatever it may be. We belong to him.鈥�
Barbara Streisand echoes the familiar 鈥淥n Holy Ground鈥� lyrics:
When I walked through the doors I sensed His presence
And I knew this was a place where love abounds
For this is a temple, the God we love abides here
Oh, we are standing in His presence on holy ground
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We are standing on holy ground
And I know, I know there are angels all around
Let us praise, praise Him now
For we are standing in His presence on holy ground
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(Songwriter 鈥� Geron La Ray Davis)
