The Call
Read Exodus 3 and 4

I love this passage that describes God's call to Moses out of a burning bush for it reveals the striking paradox of God's holy transcendence and his father's compassion.  When God first speaks the words "Moses!  Moses!" and introduces himself as "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob" Moses is gripped with fear.  God reminds him to remove his sandals for he is on holy ground. God has clearly displayed His holy otherness.

He then goes on to tell Moses: "I have indeed seen the misery of my people" and "I am concerned about them."  Almighty God of holiness is also God of tremendous love.  And this love is not mere sentiment, but a love that will "come down to rescue..."  Astonishing!  I love this imagery of God eternal drawing near, for I know that this is just the beginning of God's drawing ever closer to His lost and broken world.

I am reminded of the ending of a favorite poem by Robert Browning, which traces the story of a man who has just come to hear about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, and who wonders if this Jesus could truly could be the son of God:

   The very God! think, Abib; dost thou think?

So, the All-Great, were the All-Loving too - 

So, through the thunder comes a human voice

Saying, "O heart I made, a heart beats here!

Face, my hands fashioned see it in  myself!

Thou hast no power nor mayst conceive of mine,

But love I gave thee, with myself to love,

And thou must love me who had died for thee!"

And we marvel that this is in fact true, that the All-Great is the All-Loving too.

Lord, most high, may I never forget Your great holiness.  That you are entirely other.  Remind me when I pray and when I teach my children to pray that we are drawing near to a holy God.  May we come before you with the deepest respect, and treat your word with great honour.  Forgive me when I am casual in your presence. 

At the same time, remind me Jesus, that I am coming to a God who, just as in ages past, is deeply concerned about my struggles, a God full of love and compassion who will act for my good.  Give me faith to come to you as a small child comes to a parent, full of need and eagerly expectant to see what good things you will give in your grace.