The forests of eastern Ontario are susceptible to fires in the hot summer months, especially if there has been a drought. The usual fire ban prohibits campfires and the burning of brush; even a cigarette butt tossed aside can ignite the forest. Most dreaded are lightning strikes, which are so unpredictable. From one such strike, my sister-in-law saw a plume of smoke billowing from the trees, while she was out on the lake in a boat. The fire rangers were there, however, to extinguish the blaze quickly.

The prophet Moses also witnessed such a fire.

Exodus 3:1-4 – One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn't burn up. "This is amazing," Moses said to himself. "Why isn't that bush burning up? I must go see it." When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, "Moses! Moses!" "Here I am!" Moses replied. (NLT)

Moses, once a prince of Egypt, became a refugee because of a murder that he had committed. He was led to the family of the priest of Midian, lived among God-fearing people, and worked for his father-in-law for forty years as a simple shepherd of flocks not even his own, in a desert wilderness. One day, he led his flocks to the mountain of God. Apparently, spontaneous combustion of resinous desert vegetation is not uncommon, but the burning bush that Moses saw was not being burnt up, and it ignited his curiosity. He turned aside from his work to investigate, in amazement. Interestingly, God didn't speak until Moses paid attention and came closer. With the God of Israel, he had a face-to-face meeting, which would not only transform his own life, but also change the course of history. Even though he had been forgotten by the world, so it seemed, Moses was not forgotten by God.

When you feel forgotten, finding yourself in a wilderness, and wondering what has become of your life, remember that you are precious to God and that He will guide your steps if you listen and come close to Him. The burning bush is the symbol of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, signifying that the people of God may be under attack and afraid, but not destroyed, because God is in our midst. Don't be afraid to approach Him, the Holy One, in reverence and thanksgiving, for His salvation and guidance throughout your life.

Prayer: Thank You, O Lord, for Your revelation of Yourself to Moses, and to us through Your holy Word. We praise You because we are precious to You and guided through our lives by Your wisdom and provision. Amen.

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About the author:

Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca>
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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