The Bush That Wouldn't Burn

Read

Exodus 3:1-3 “Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of theLORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.’”

Think

Have you ever been on a totally normal walk when something surprised you?

Picture this. It is Saturday morning. You are walking around the block, just like always. Same houses. Same mailboxes. Same crunchy leaves on the sidewalk. Then you look up, and there is a big, fluffy owl sitting on a fence in broad daylight. It turns its head all the way around and stares right at you.

Suddenly your boring walk is not boring anymore!

Something like that happened to Moses. Only it was way bigger than an owl.

Moses was a shepherd. Every day he did the same job. He walked with the sheep. He found them grass to eat. He kept them together so none wandered off. It was a normal day in the desert, far away from everything.

Then Moses saw a bush on fire. That might not sound too strange. Deserts are hot and dry. But this bush was different. The flames kept going and going, and the bush did not burn up. The leaves stayed green. The branches stayed strong.

Moses said, “I will go over and see this strange sight.” Wouldn't you?

Here is the cool part. That fire was not just a fire. God was there! God picked a regular day in a regular place to show up for Moses.

God's people were having a really hard time back then. They were far from home in a country called Egypt, and they were being treated badly. Moses might have wondered if God had forgotten about them. But God had not forgotten. God had a plan, and it started right here at this bush.

You know what? God still works like that. He does not only show up on big, special days. He is with you on regular days too. He is with you on the bus. He is with you at lunch. He is with you when you are doing homework at the kitchen table.

Not every day will have a burning bush. But every day has God in it. And God has a plan for you, just like he had one for Moses.

This month we are going to learn something big: God's got it. Whatever you are facing, God is with you. He knows what is going on. And he knows exactly what to do.

So, keep your eyes open. God is up to something good.

Apply

Look for God today – Tonight at dinner or bedtime, tell someone one good thing you noticed today. Maybe a pretty sky, a kind friend, or a funny moment. Then thank God for being with you in it.

Pray

God, thank you for being with me on regular days and special days. Help me notice you today. Thank you that you always have a plan. In Jesus' name. Amen.