HOLY GROUND

My devotional (Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson –– Zondervan – Copyright 2018 – Day 39) quoted this scripture: “Take of your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5 Batterson wrote, “no place is devoid of God’s presence.” And reminded his readers that anywhere God is – that is holy ground. 

This reminds me of something that happened to Peter, which changed the course of the early New Testament church.

In Acts 9:10-16, we are told about a vision Peter had about a sheet full of unclean animals, which the Lord told him to kill and eat. When Peter refuses, he is told this: "What God has made clean, do not call common." [Acts 10:15 ESV] 

This happened three times in the course of the vision. At the time of the vision, verse 17 tells us, Peter, himself, wondered what it was all about.

When three Gentiles showed up at his door, asking for him by name, Peter had an epiphany:

Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

[Acts 10:34-35 NIV] God confirmed this understanding by pouring out the Holy Spirit upon those Gentile visitors and giving them the gift of speaking in tongues – just as He had done to those believing Jews waiting in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit not long before. [See Acts 10:44-45 and Acts 2:1-4]

God was telling Peter and, through Him, the early New Testament church, and us today, that He will reach out to anyone He wills and call them into relationship with Him. God was telling Peter and, through Him, the early New Testament church, and us today, that He will send His Holy Spirit to dwell in anyone He chooses. God was telling Peter and, through Him, the early New Testament church, and us today, that He will make a holy dwelling place – will make holy ground – anyone whom He chooses.

Because He chooses to dwell in you by the Holy Spirit, YOU are also holy ground. 

Romans 9:21-24 tells us that, as the Potter, God has a right to make vessels for honorable purposes or not, according to how He will use them in this life. But do not think, for a moment, dear sisters, that you are a vessel for dishonor. 

2 Timothy 2:20-21 [ESV] Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

You are set apart as holy because God has called you. We are cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus. When we choose to accept God’s calling and repent, and every day thereafter when we repent of sin, we again become vessels for honorable use. 

At this time when we are preparing to take the Lord’s Supper (or Passover, if you prefer), we may see many things we do not like – sins we still struggle with, behaviors we wish to stop, words we really wish had remained unspoken. That is what this time is for. We have to acknowledge our sin and guilt and need for the sacrifice of the Holy Lamb of God. 

Remember the command to Peter, "What God has made clean, do not call common." [Acts 10:15 ESV]

Sweet sister, YOU are holy ground, because God is in you by the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit. YOU are a vessel of honor. Never forget that. Never treat yourself differently and never let anyone else call you unclean or treat you as anything other than holy ground. 

How will you be used for His honorable purposes today? If you aren’t sure, ask Him. Why not spend some time praying barefooted today, to remind yourself that where you are when you come to God’s throne to pray God is there too? That place is holy ground and so are you. 

Then get up and walk in holiness – as a vessel of honor.

I welcome your thoughts, comments and questions. You can write me at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org. I’ve placed a few more scriptures about showing love below.