Week 6
Here I Am
Exodus 3:1–12
“God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’”
Exodus 3:1–12 (NKJV)
Moses is keeping another man’s sheep in the wilderness when an ordinary day becomes holy. God’s call interrupts neither a throne room nor a celebrated life, but hidden labor after long disappointment.
The bush burns without being consumed. Creation carries a fire it did not kindle, bearing witness to the God whose life depends on nothing beyond Himself.
God calls Moses by name. The infinite One is not impersonal force; He knows the fugitive shepherd, sees an oppressed people, hears their cry, and comes down to deliver.
Moses answers, ‘Here I am,’ before he understands the assignment. Availability begins as attention—a willingness to turn aside and listen when God addresses us.
The command to remove his sandals teaches reverence. God’s nearness does not make Him ordinary. Intimacy and holiness meet on the same ground.
Then the Lord sends Moses back toward the place of fear. Awareness of God never ends in private wonder; His holy presence claims the listener for compassionate obedience.
Moses asks, ‘Who am I?’ God answers not by enlarging Moses’ confidence but by promising, ‘I will certainly be with you.’ The decisive qualification is divine presence.
Turn aside from hurry. Say, ‘Here I am,’ with open hands. The God who needs nothing graciously calls ordinary people to participate in what only He can accomplish.
In Conversation with A. W. Tozer
Tozer’s reflection on God’s self-existence helps preserve the wonder of the burning bush. God draws life from no source, owes being to no cause, and yet freely bends near to speak a human name.
This vision corrects both pride and despair. The calling does not depend upon our sufficiency; the self-existent God promises His presence and supplies what obedience requires.
A Prayer
Holy God,
Holy, self-existent God, turn my attention from hurry and make me reverent before Your presence.
Thank You for seeing suffering, hearing cries, and calling ordinary people by name. Free me from hiding behind inadequacy.
Here I am. Send me where Your compassion leads, and let the promise of Your presence become enough. Amen.
Dwell This Week with God
Awaken to His presence.
Return often to Exodus 3:1–12. Read without hurry, and allow the truth of who God is to become larger than every lesser concern.