As Moses was tending his father-in-law’s sheep in the desert, his attention was drawn to a strange sight. A bush was burning, but it was not being consumed. As he looked more closely at this phenomenon, he heard a voice say to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground” (Ex. 3:5).

Joshua had a similar experience as he led the Israelites into the Promised Land. When he approached “the Commander of the Lord’s army,” he was told to take off his sandals because he stood on holy ground (Josh. 5:13-15).

The experiences of Moses and Joshua vividly teach us that a holy God demands our reverence and respect. True, we are encouraged to “come boldly to the throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16), and we can enter the presence of God with confidence because Christ has opened the way for us through His sacrificial death on the cross. But we are never to approach God with disrespect. Our heavenly Father is not “the man upstairs.” He is God, the One who is “high and lifted up” (Isa. 6:1). As the one true God, He is worthy of our highest adoration and praise.

God not only desires our devotion and respect, He deserves it. He is worthy of our heartfelt worship.