Take Off Your Shoes

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Friday, October 24, 2025

Today’s Text: Exodus 3:1–6

Key Verse: Exodus 3:5 (KJV): “Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.”

Moses was shepherding his father-in-law’s sheep in the wilderness—just another ordinary day. Then, suddenly, the extraordinary happened. A bush burned with fire but was not consumed. Drawn by the wonder, Moses turned aside to see it. But as he approached, a voice called out his name from the flames: “Moses, Moses.” It was the voice of God, and the moment turned into a divine encounter that would forever change Moses’ life.

Before giving Moses the assignment to deliver Israel, God gave him an invitation to reverence. “Take off your shoes,” He said, “for the place where you stand is holy ground.” This was not about geography—it was about presence. The desert was transformed into a sanctuary because God was there. The same patch of sand Moses had crossed a hundred times became sacred the moment heaven touched it. Holiness had arrived.

To “take off your shoes” is to acknowledge that you are standing before a holy God. It is a call to humility, to strip away self-sufficiency, pride, and the dust of worldly striving. Shoes protect the feet from the earth’s roughness, but before God, nothing should come between us and His presence. In removing them, Moses symbolized surrender—laying down every claim to ownership, comfort, or control. It was a gesture of worship that said, “Here I am, Lord, open and unprotected, ready for Your will.”

God still invites us to this same posture today. Holiness is not limited to mountains or burning bushes; it abides wherever His presence dwells—whether in your prayer room, your commute, or your heart. He says to you, “Come no closer until you’ve removed your sandals of self.” Take off the habits, titles, and distractions that dull your sensitivity to His voice. The holy ground of God’s grace invites barefoot worshipers who come not to perform, but to respond.

In that sacred moment, Moses learned that reverence precedes revelation. The God who calls us to take off our shoes is also the God who sends us to take up our cross. Worship comes before mission; awe before action. When we bow low, we are lifted high. This lesson is an invitation to honor God’s holiness with quiet reverence and open-hearted surrender. The same God who met Moses in fire meets you in Spirit. Remove every barrier, and stand on the holy ground of His presence. Where God is, the ordinary becomes sacred.

Action Steps: Take a moment today to quiet yourself before God. Physically or spiritually, “take off your shoes.” Remove every distraction, title, or pretense before Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what “sandals” you need to lay aside to walk barefoot in holy awe. Listen for His call, for He still speaks from the fire.

Quote for the Day: “Reverence is the doorway to revelation. When we take off our shoes, heaven opens, and the dust of earth turns to the gold of His presence.” (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)

Let Us Pray: Holy and Majestic Father, thank You for calling me into Your presence. Forgive my hurried steps and my casual approach to the sacred. Today, I take off my shoes before You—the pride, the fear, the distractions—and I bow in reverence to Your holiness. Teach me to dwell on holy ground, where You speak and hearts are changed. Here I am, Lord—send me where You will. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

_________________

Thank you for walking this path of faith and reflection. For deeper study on reverence and holiness, read: Isaiah 6:1–8, Hebrews 12:28–29, and Joshua 5:13–15.

With all my love and prayers,

Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

Send | Share | Subscribe | Support