“And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” — Exodus 3:5 (KJV)
The Revelation of Holy Ground
When Moses turned aside to see the burning bush in the wilderness, he encountered something extraordinary—the eternal God manifesting His presence in fire. The bush burned yet was not consumed, a symbol of divine purity and power. As Moses approached, the voice of God called to him by name and commanded, “Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.”
It was not the soil itself that was holy, nor the bush, but the presence of God that sanctified that place. Wherever the Lord manifests His glory becomes sacred. Holiness radiates from His being and transforms the ordinary into the divine. When Moses removed his sandals, it was an outward act of inward reverence—a recognition that he stood before the Almighty.
This moment reveals a timeless truth: where God dwells, holiness abides. Every generation of believers must rediscover this reverence for the presence of the Lord.
The Sanctuary: A Place Set Apart for God
The sanctuary—whether a tent in the wilderness, Solomon’s temple, or a church building today—has always represented a space set apart for God. It is not merely a gathering hall or a place of ceremony; it is the meeting place between heaven and earth, the dwelling place of God among His people.
The very word sanctuary means a sacred or consecrated place. In the Old Testament, the sanctuary contained the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat—the earthly throne of the invisible God. Only those consecrated could minister there, and they did so with awe and trembling. Even today, though the veil has been torn and we have bold access to the throne of grace through Christ (Hebrews 4:16), that access must never become casual or careless.
The sanctuary is not holy because of its architecture or furnishings—it is holy because the Spirit of the Living God is there when His people gather in His Name (Matthew 18:20).
The Loss of Reverence in Modern Worship
Tragically, many have forgotten the sacred nature of the house of God. Sanctuaries are often treated like social halls—filled with idle conversation, laughter, and gossip before and after worship. The atmosphere that should prepare hearts for divine encounter is replaced with noise that quenches the Spirit.
When the early church gathered, they did so “with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1), their hearts unified and expectant for the presence of the Holy Spirit. They did not enter flippantly; they came with reverence, for they knew that where God’s people assemble in faith, His presence dwells in power.
We must return to that reverence—to the awareness that we are standing on holy ground. This means watching our words, guarding our hearts, and entering the sanctuary with prayer and preparation.
Worshipping with Reverence and Awe
God is not waiting for a song or sermon to appear; He is already present when His people assemble. Therefore, the sanctuary should be approached as Moses approached the burning bush—with humility and fear of the Lord.
Reverence is not ritualism. It is the recognition of who God is—the Almighty, the Eternal One—and responding accordingly. True worship begins not with music, but with the posture of the heart. When we enter the sanctuary, we should do so with quietness of spirit, gratitude, and holy expectation.
We may not remove our shoes as Moses did, but we should remove the “dust” of distraction, pride, and familiarity that dulls our awareness of the sacred. Our demeanor, our words, even our posture should reflect that we are in the presence of the King of kings.
Conclusion: The Place Where Heaven Meets Earth
The sanctuary is not just a building—it is the meeting place between heaven and earth, where the eternal touches the temporal and where God’s people encounter His glory.
Let us remember that we are not merely attending a service but stepping into sacred space. May we enter with clean hands and pure hearts (Psalm 24:3–4). May our words honor His presence, and our worship reflect His holiness.
When we gather before the Lord with reverence, the sanctuary once again becomes what it was meant to be—holy ground. And on that ground, hearts are changed, souls are revived, and God is glorified among His people.