Daily Devotional

“And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God” (Exodus 3:6). 

Have you ever been temporarily blinded by a photographer’s flash? The bright light overwhelms your eyes, and, for a moment, you cannot see. After a while your eyesight gradually returns. Sometimes you might see bright spots for a few minutes. This visual impairment is called “flash blindness.” It happens whenever you are exposed to a flash of extremely bright light. The oversaturation of your retina is protected when your pupil constricts in daylight. But if you are suddenly exposed to an intense light, you might be blinded for a few seconds or a few minutes. 

Law enforcement and military personnel sometimes use flash grenades, also called stun grenades, to temporarily disorient an enemy. The non-lethal explosive creates a blinding flash of light followed by
an intensely loud bang. The photoreceptor cells in the eye are flooded, making it impossible to see for five or more seconds. 

When Moses came upon a burning bush in the wilderness, the brilliantly flaming shrub did not burn up. He was curious and approached the unusual sight. As he came near, “God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am’ ” (Exodus 3:4). The Lord then instructed him to take off his sandals for the place where he was standing was holy ground. 

Why does the Bible say that Moses hid his face? Was it because of the blinding light emanating from the burning bush? Moses bowed in reverent awe because he was in the presence of the all-powerful and holy God of the universe. He did not assume to casually saunter before the Lord, but with great respect acknowledged Him who lives in unapproachable light. Even angels veil their faces in the presence of the Creator. 

Like Moses, let us bow before our Maker, not stunned by God’s power, but humbled that we are on holy ground. 

Dear Father, You alone deserve my worship and praise. In reverence I bow in Your holy presence.