Daily Bread 2/22/2025

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Email from Abiding Place     Daily Bread – February 22, 2025 (The Seventh Day – Genesis 2:1-3) Exodus 3:5 – And He said, “Do not come any closer: take off your shoes from off your feet, for the place whereon you stand is holy ground.” Ascension to Holiness: Ever Increasing Communion When Moses had returned to Sinai, he found the place of worship lit up with the Presence of God on an entirely different scale. The display of God’s glory was no longer confined to a flame in a bush, but instead the whole mountain was on fire with God’s Presence. Now, it was not just the ground under his feet that was holy, but the entire mountain had become infused with the holiness of God. The Lord, in His love for the people of Israel, would not leave them out of the encounter of His presence. Now the whole nation would be allowed to see the fire of His presence and hear His voice. Yet, only Moses, who had been faithful, would be allowed to come closer to God while the people of Israel encountered Him from a distance. They were washed with water and sanctified by His Word, making themselves ready for the encounter with God. Having been prepared by the washing of water, they came to the place of worship and stood before the Presence of the Lord (Exodus 19:10-11). While they stood at the boundaries of their limitations, which were placed around the mountain, the sound of God’s shofar became louder and louder. As the sight became so overwhelming and frightening, Moses called out to the Lord and the Lord answered. Moses was called out in front of the people, and he alone was distinguished from all others. He alone was given the holiness necessary to stand upon the holy ground without defiling it. He was granted the right to ascend and stand upon the Mountain of the Lord (Exodus 19:16-20; Psalms 24:3-4). The ground shook under their feet with the Presence of the Lord, and the sight of Him was so dreadful Moses shook and trembled (Hebrews 12:21). All Israel were eyewitnesses to the communion between Moses and the Lord as they spoke to each other. This was unlike anything the sons of Adam had ever experienced as the Lord revealed Himself in the midst of His holy fire. Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen