The Call to Intimacy and Ministry: Moses’ Journey

Nov 18, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: God Invites Us Into Intimacy—“Take Off Your Shoes”

God’s call to Moses at the burning bush was not just a summons to action, but an invitation into deep intimacy. When God told Moses to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground, it was as if God was saying, “Come in, make yourself at home in my presence.” God desires for us to be comfortable with the supernatural, to lift our eyes from the mundane and recognize that we are welcomed into His presence. This is a call to know the Holy Spirit, to experience God not as a distant deity but as a friend who invites us to draw near, to eat and drink with Him, and to speak face to face. God wants you to know what it’s like to be in His house, to be with Him, and to experience the fullness of His presence. [09:33]

Exodus 3:1-6 (ESV)
Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Reflection: What would it look like for you to intentionally “take off your shoes” and make yourself at home in God’s presence today—setting aside distractions and drawing near to Him in intimacy?

Day 2: God Sees, Hears, and Is Moved With Compassion

God’s heart is not distant from suffering; He sees the misery of His people, hears their cries, and is deeply moved with compassion. Even when it seems like nothing is changing and decades pass in silence, God is attentive to every pain and every prayer. His compassion is not passive—He is stirred to act, to get involved, and to bring rescue. If you are in a season of waiting or hardship, know that God has not forgotten you. He sees your trouble, hears your cries, and His heart is moved for you. [20:19]

Exodus 3:7-10 (ESV)
Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that God sees, hears, and is moved with compassion for you—and how can you bring that honestly before Him today?

Day 3: God Calls Us to Join Him—Partnership in His Mission

God’s rescue plan is not just something He does alone; He invites us to be partners with Him. Though God says, “I have come down to rescue them,” He immediately follows with, “So now, go. I am sending you.” This partnership is so close that at times it’s hard to tell where God’s work ends and ours begins. God involves us in His purposes, treating us as fellow laborers, and sometimes even allowing us to wrestle with Him in prayer and responsibility. When God calls you to step out, He is not leaving you alone—He is inviting you into the adventure of working alongside Him. [25:36]

Exodus 3:10-12 (ESV)
“Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Reflection: Where is God inviting you to join Him in His work—perhaps in your family, workplace, or community—and what is one step you can take today to say “yes” to that partnership?

Day 4: God’s Presence Is Our Qualification—Not Our Excuses

When Moses protested his calling with excuses—feeling unqualified, not knowing God well enough, doubting others would listen, or fearing he couldn’t do it—God’s answer was not a list of Moses’ strengths, but a promise: “I will be with you.” God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called by His presence. Even when we feel inadequate or hope someone else will step up, God assures us that He will be with us, and He often provides others to help us along the way. The sign of God’s calling is not always given in advance, but is seen in the fruit that comes as we step out in faith. [27:23]

Exodus 4:10-15 (ESV)
But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do.”

Reflection: What is one excuse or fear that has held you back from stepping into something God is calling you to—and how can you trust His presence to be enough for you today?

Day 5: Saying Yes to God Leads to the Best and Hardest Days

Moses’ journey shows that saying yes to God’s call leads to both the best and hardest days of our lives. The path of obedience brought Moses to moments of awe—standing at the Red Sea, seeing water flow from the rock, and even meeting Jesus in glory. But it also led through discouragement, loneliness, opposition, and deep responsibility. The invitation to intimacy and ministry is not a promise of ease, but of a life that truly matters—a life where, in the end, you can look back and say, “I’m so glad I said yes.” [43:25]

Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV)
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: Looking ahead, what is one area where you sense God calling you to persevere or say “yes” again, even if it feels costly—and how might you take a step of obedience today?

Sermon Summary

Moses’ journey is a story of redemption, intimacy, and calling. After a disastrous mistake in Egypt, Moses flees to the wilderness, burdened by regret and uncertainty about his future. For forty years, he lives in obscurity, tending sheep and wondering if his life will ever matter again. Yet, in the midst of the mundane, God breaks in—through a burning bush that refuses to be consumed. God calls Moses by name, inviting him not just to a task, but into His very presence. The simple command to take off his shoes is a profound invitation: “Make yourself at home. Be comfortable in my presence. Lift your eyes from the ordinary and recognize the holy.”

This call to intimacy is not a one-time event. Over time, Moses moves from fear and hiding to a place of deep friendship with God—so much so that he can eat and drink in God’s presence, and speak with Him face to face, as one speaks with a friend. Yet, even then, Moses senses there is always more to know, more depth to God’s glory and compassion than he can yet bear.

But intimacy with God is never separated from God’s heart for the world. God reveals to Moses that He has seen the suffering of His people, heard their cries, and is moved with gut-wrenching compassion. God declares, “I have come down to rescue them”—but then immediately commissions Moses: “So now, go. I am sending you.” God’s rescue is always a partnership, a mysterious intertwining of divine initiative and human obedience. Moses, like us, is full of excuses—feeling unqualified, uncertain, and inadequate. God’s answer is not a list of Moses’ strengths, but a simple promise: “I will be with you.” The sign of God’s calling is not given in advance, but is found in the fruit of obedience.

Even when Moses protests, “I don’t know you well enough,” or “They won’t listen,” or “I can’t speak,” God patiently provides what is needed—signs, words, and companions for the journey. The call to intimacy and the call to ministry are inseparable. Saying yes to God leads to both the best and hardest days of our lives, but it is always worth it. In the end, Moses’ story is an invitation to each of us: to draw near, to listen for our name, to take off our shoes, and to say yes—trusting that God’s presence will be enough.

Key Takeaways

1. Intimacy with God is a lifelong invitation God’s call to Moses began with a simple, personal invitation: “Take off your shoes, this is holy ground.” This was not just about reverence, but about being at home in God’s presence. Over time, Moses moved from fear to friendship with God, showing us that intimacy is a journey, not a destination. We are invited to continually draw closer, to become comfortable with the holy, and to seek ever-deeper relationship with God. [09:33]
2. God’s compassion leads to partnership God sees suffering, hears cries, and is moved with compassion—but He chooses to act through people. Moses is not just a spectator to God’s rescue; he is called to participate. This partnership is not about our qualifications, but about God’s willingness to work with and through us. Our “yes” to God’s call is how His compassion becomes action in the world. [20:19]
3. Obedience precedes understanding and confirmation Moses wanted a sign before he acted, but God’s sign was the fruit of obedience: “When you have brought the people out, you will worship on this mountain.” Often, we want certainty before we step out, but God calls us to trust Him first. The evidence of God’s calling is found as we walk in faith, not before. [28:59]
4. God equips and surrounds us for the journey Moses’ excuses—his sense of inadequacy, lack of eloquence, and fear of rejection—are met with God’s provision. God gives signs, words, and even sends Aaron as a companion. We are never called to serve alone; God places people around us and equips us as we go. Our weaknesses become places for God’s strength to be revealed. [38:28]
5. Saying yes leads to both joy and challenge Moses’ obedience led to moments of awe and intimacy, but also to hardship, loneliness, and disappointment. The call to follow God is not a promise of ease, but of purpose and presence. In the end, Moses could look back and rejoice that he said yes, knowing that both the best and hardest days were part of God’s story for him. [41:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - The Story Behind the Jumper
[01:26] - Moses’ Failure and Flight
[02:08] - A Second Chance at Justice
[03:16] - Life in the Wilderness
[05:04] - The Burning Bush: God’s Attention
[06:41] - God Knows Your Name
[07:15] - Take Off Your Shoes: Holy Ground
[09:33] - Invitation to Intimacy
[10:39] - Moses Sees God: From Fear to Friendship
[13:11] - Speaking Face to Face with God
[14:54] - The Pursuit of Deeper Intimacy
[18:25] - God’s Compassion for His People
[22:01] - God’s Rescue: Partnership with Moses
[26:52] - Moses’ Excuses and God’s Answers
[28:59] - The Sign Comes After Obedience
[33:29] - God Gives Options and Signs
[38:28] - God Provides Companions for the Journey
[41:13] - The Cost and Joy of Saying Yes
[42:49] - Moses’ Legacy and Our Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Moses’ Journey of Redemption, Intimacy, and Calling

Bible Reading

- Exodus 3:1–15 (ESV)
- Exodus 24:9–11 (ESV)
- Exodus 33:7–11 (ESV)

Observation Questions

In Exodus 3, what was unusual about the burning bush that caught Moses’ attention, and how did God use this moment to speak to him? [[05:04]]
What specific instructions did God give Moses when he approached the burning bush, and what might have been the significance of taking off his shoes? [[07:15]]
According to Exodus 24:9–11, what did Moses and the elders experience on the mountain with God, and how does this contrast with Moses’ earlier fear? [[10:39]]
When Moses expressed doubts and excuses about his calling, how did God respond to his concerns? [[27:23]]

Interpretation Questions

The command to take off his shoes was more than just about reverence. What does this gesture reveal about the kind of relationship God wanted with Moses? [[09:07]]
Moses moved from hiding his face in fear to eating and drinking in God’s presence. What does this progression tell us about the journey of intimacy with God? [[12:21]]
God says, “I have come down to rescue them,” but then immediately sends Moses. What does this reveal about how God chooses to work in the world? [[22:01]]
God’s promise to Moses was not a list of his strengths, but simply, “I will be with you.” Why might God choose to answer Moses’ insecurities in this way? [[27:23]]

Application Questions

The sermon described God’s invitation to “take off your shoes” as a way of saying, “Make yourself at home in my presence.” Are there areas in your life where you feel like a guest with God rather than at home? What would it look like for you to become more comfortable in God’s presence this week? [[09:07]]
Moses spent decades in the wilderness, feeling like his life didn’t matter. Have you ever felt like you were in a season of waiting or obscurity? How might God be inviting you to notice His presence in the ordinary parts of your life right now? [[04:35]]
God’s compassion for the suffering of His people led Him to involve Moses in His rescue plan. Is there a situation of suffering or injustice that you feel God is drawing your attention to? What might it look like for you to partner with God in that situation? [[20:19]]
Moses had many excuses—feeling unqualified, not knowing God well enough, fearing rejection, or not being a good speaker. Which of these excuses do you most relate to, and how might God be inviting you to trust Him anyway? [[39:44]]
God provided Aaron and others to support Moses. Who are the “Aarons” in your life—people God has placed around you for encouragement and partnership? How can you lean into those relationships as you step into what God is calling you to do? [[38:28]]
The sign of God’s calling was not given in advance, but was found in the fruit of obedience. Is there something you sense God is asking you to do, but you’re waiting for more confirmation? What would it look like to take a step of faith before you have all the answers? [[28:59]]
Moses’ “yes” to God led to both incredible moments and real hardship. Are you willing to say yes to God, even if it means facing challenges? What helps you trust that God’s presence will be enough for you in both the best and hardest days? [[41:13]]

Sermon Clips

53s

#GodGetsOurAttention

“You know, getting our attention is more important to God than us feeling good, than us being happy, than us being well. Sometimes God uses difficulties and bad news. God allows illness and trouble just to get our attention. For Moses, God just gave a firework display, which is much better, isn't it? I mean, that's the way to do it. Just pay attention. Next time God tries to... Anyway, God speaks to Moses from the bush and he says, first words to Moses, Moses, Moses. That's great, isn't it? God knows who you are. God knows your name.”

35s

#GodComesDown

“That bit about so you can't see my face and live, I think it's just that Moses knew that there was even deeper for him to go. There was even further for him to go in his relationship with God, even further for him to go in his knowledge of the Holy One, even further for him to go in his understanding of who Yahweh was. So God says, you can't see my face, even though you've been, we've been talking face to face. So you just stand behind that rock and I'll go and you can see my back.”

60s

#GoWithGod

“I wonder if it's because if Moses went any deeper with God, if Moses got another depth of revelation of God that he couldn't possibly cope with the compassion in the eyes of God. He couldn't possibly cope with seeing the love in the face of the Almighty. But he couldn't possibly cope with experiencing that cross-shaped, Jesus-shaped empathy, compassion, and love that God has always carried in his heart and has expressed in his face. Maybe God's saying, need to wait. Need to wait for the cross for that.”

45s

#PartnershipInMinistry

“God says, I've seen. Moses, I've seen it. I've seen the trouble that they're in. That's a word for someone this morning. God sees the trouble you are in. He says, I've noticed that. I've seen that. Don't think the fact that it's been four decades means that I don't care because I've seen all of that. And I have heard the cries of my people in Israel, sorry, in Egypt. I've heard their cries. I've not just heard their prayers. Of course, I hear their prayers. But I've heard their cries too.”

45s

#WhyMeFaith

“I've heard the times when they've been wailing because someone was beating them up. I've heard the times when they've been sobbing because it hurts so much. I've heard the times when they've been crying out in anguish because there seems no hope. I've heard all of that. I have compassion. It stirred my heart. My guts are reacting to that. It's a gut-wrenching compassion in me that's pulling me into doing something, Moses. I have compassion on them. I care about them. I am moved by their plight. I need to do something about them.”

56s

#IllBeWithYou

“So, Moses, I've come down. I've come down. I'm willing to get my hands dirty. I've come down. I'm going to rescue them. I've come down. We worship a God who gets involved, who changes circumstances, who messes things around, who messes his own hands up in order to adjust things for us. God sees. God hears. God's the compassionate. And God gets involved. It's not quite Advent, but isn't that the story of Advent? I've seen darkness. I've heard cries of hopelessness. I have compassion on my people. So, I have come down to rescue them.”

46s

#FaithInAction

“And then God says in verse 10. Let me read it to you because it comes out better if I just read it. I have come down to rescue them. Verse 8. Verse 10. So, now, go. I'm sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Agaba. God, you just said you were going to do it. God, this was your job. It's your heart. I'm sending you, Moses. And I just think that's amazing. That's incredible. That's wonderful. But God says, I'm going to do it. So, you go and do it, Moses.”

35s

#HelpIsOnTheWay

“That's not a sign, is it? I'm calling you to bring the people out of Egypt and the sign that I'm calling you to bring the people out of Egypt is that you'll bring the people out of Egypt. That's not a sign. The sign that you should start a youth group is the fact that the youth group happens, that young people come and they start to get discipled. That's the sign. The sign that you should start a prayer group at work is the sign that people get together and start to pray and the spiritual temperature in the whole place increases. That's the sign.”

39s

#BestDaysAndWorst

“Although, in fairness, that becomes the name that God is known by for the rest of Scripture and all through history. So even though Moses says, I don't know who you are, and God gives him this enigmatic answer that means he still has no clue who he is, he does get that. And then, beyond that, God starts to show him some more. He says, I'm the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. Then he says, I'm a God who keeps covenant. I'm a God who is faithful. He says, I'm a God who has plans for you. He says, I'm a God who has strategy as well.”

45s

#GladISaidYes

“As Moses pursues the presence of God, as Moses continues the conversation, as Moses begins to obey later, he gets more and more revelation of who God is because that's how it works. So as we pursue intimacy, as we pursue ministry, we get to know who God is. But maybe that's your excuse. Maybe that's your excuse this morning. I don't know you well enough, God, to speak about you at work. Don't know enough answers to do anything online. I don't know enough to lead a small group. I don't know enough to lead a – you will know enough. You will know enough. You will know enough.”

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