The NIV 365 Day Devotional

Almighty God

Your achievements, however noble they may be, are not important. Your credentials, as starry as they may be, are of no concern. God is the foundation of this house. The key question in life is not “How strong am I?” but rather “How strong is God?” Focus on his strength, not yours. Occupy yourself with the nature of God, not the size of your biceps.

That’s what Moses did. Or at least that’s what God told Moses to do. Remember the conversation at the burning bush? The tone was set in the first sentence. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground” (Ex 3:5). With these fifteen words Moses is enrolled in a class on God. Immediately the roles are defined. God is holy. Approaching him on even a quarter inch of leather is too pompous.

And as we read further, we discover that no time is spent convincing Moses what Moses can do, but much time is spent explaining to Moses what God can do.

The strength of Moses is never considered. No pep talk is given, no pats on the backs are offered. Not one word is spoken to recruit Moses. But many words are used to reveal God. The strength of Moses is not the issue. The strength of God is.

Consider:

• What have been the “burning bushes” of your life, the things that have caught your attention and directed your focus God-ward?
• Think of a time when you felt you were standing on holy ground. What was your response to the holiness of that moment?
• Moses hid his face out of reverence and fear of God. What do believers do today to show reverence?
• Why is there a temptation to focus on our own strength rather than God’s?
• How can you see God’s strength in the ways he meets your needs?
• How does the fact that God exists make the world a different place?
• How can God’s strength work through you?
• What have you been trying to do in your own strength rather than in God’s?

Taken from The NIV Lucado Encouraging Word Bible.