You can stand on Holy Ground

In the Old Testament God's people had every reason to be stressed, big time. Enemies were everywhere but his people had a deep trust and respect for their God. I think we should have that too.

When I get stressed I think about the ground when I see flowers, trees or gardens. What the sandbox is to children is what gardening is to me.

There is something about the ground that attracts us, whatever age. I think it is because God who created us also created every thing we would ever need in this physical life.

People lived long in Bible times. Food was eaten in its natural state from the ground.

We were made out of the ground.

"The Lord formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being" (Genesis 1:7, (NIV).

God made Adam in his own image. (Genesis 1:27) God made all the animals and had Adam to give them names (Genesis 2:20).

"And Adam gave names to all." Think of it. Adam had a great intelligence.

In Bible times the ground was allowed to "rest" ever seven years: "But in the seventh year the land is to have a Sabbath of rest, a Sabbath to the LORD" (25:4, NIV).

There is just something about the ground. After an airplane ride, I am more than happy to get back to the ground.

I'm glad God painted the ground brown. Any other color would not seem right. Don't you love to smell the ground after a rain? All of these blessings come from God.

The Bible also tells us the world can get so wicked the ground will throw out its inhabitants. (Leviticus 18: 25).

There is another name given by God: Holy Ground.

When God was talking to Moses in Exodus 3:5, he told Moses to take off his shoes because he was standing on Holy Ground. God is a Holy God. He is sovereign and not to be approached disrespectfully or with frivolity. By taking off his shoes, Moses displayed reverence.

We don't have to take off our shoes but we can be respectful. Let's praise and sing about standing on Holy Ground. I think we stand on Holy Ground when we obey God's commandments.

We are standing on Holy Ground when we respect and honor God.

You can stand on Holy Ground too.

Portales resident Joan Clayton is a retired teacher and published author. Her e-mail address is: [email protected]