Sep 02 – He Sees Your Feet!

“Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.’” (Exodus 3:5)

The Lord sees your feet. Sandals are essential for the feet. When the Israelites were to eat the Passover in Egypt, the Lord Himself instructed them to eat it with their sandals on their feet: “And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD’s Passover.” (Exodus 12:11)

Wearing sandals speak of readiness: “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” (Ephesians 6:15)

When the Lord led the children of Israel through the wilderness for forty years, their sandals did not wear out: “And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet.” (Deuteronomy 29:5)

At the same time, when we come into the presence of the Lord, He desires us to recognize that He is worthy of reverence, humble ourselves before Him, and take off our sandals. In ancient times, sandals were generally made from the hides of dead animals. The Law of God declared that whoever touched something unclean became ceremonially defiled. Therefore, when standing in God’s presence, one should not stand with such sandals on.

In India, Sri Lanka, and other Eastern countries, people traditionally do not enter places of worship wearing their footwear. The reason is that places of worship are holy and should not be defiled. Likewise, in our culture, when people go to meet elders or wealthy and respected persons, they often remove their footwear before entering. A servant would never stand before his master wearing sandals.

When the prodigal son returned to his father, he came without sandals on his feet. Perhaps because of his poverty, he did not even have sandals. But the moment his father saw his son, his heart was filled with compassion. He said: “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.” (Luke 15:22)

We must take off the sandals of self and put on the sandals of God’s will. No one can come into God’s presence clinging to self. The Lord hates selfishness and self-will. When we come into His presence clothed in humility, we will be accepted by Him.

Do not come before the Lord thinking that you are wise in your own eyes. God chooses the foolish things to put the wise to shame. He has chosen the weak things to put the mighty to shame. Lay aside your status, greatness, pride, and every sense of superiority when you come into God’s presence.

King Uzziah entered the Holy Place to burn incense with the pride of a great king in his heart. But the Lord struck him there, and he became a leper. Dear children of God, always clothe yourselves with humility.

Verse for further meditation: “I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies.” (Psalm 119:59)