In Exodus 3:1-6, God commanded Moses to take his sandals off his feet. What does this mean? When we take off our sandals, it means that we are giving up our own dreams, our own understanding, and our own rights. We give those things to God. When we take our sandals off, our lives will change.
When Moses took his sandals off, God shared His heart with him. He shared His plans. God wants to share His heart, His desires, and His plans with you, but He can’t do that until you “take off” your own dreams and plans.
God had a deep concern for the children of Israel because they were being abused by the Egyptians. God heard their cries. God does not want to see any of His children being abused (mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually). God wanted to deliver them from Egypt, so He called Moses and commanded him to take his sandals off. God was testing Moses to see if he was willing to give up his own understanding and plans. God was testing his obedience. When Moses obeyed, then God started talking to him and revealing his plan for Israel to him.
When God promises us something, we will have to fight a battle and go through some wilderness time before we receive it. But God will use our wilderness to teach us and train us. He will train us to have self-control and long-suffering. He will train us to have compassion for others. He will train us to trust Him. In every situation, God is always teaching us something.
Before a big blessing, the devil will try to tempt us with material possessions, the promise of man’s power, and a position of authority. This is what he did when Jesus was in the wilderness (in Matthew 4). He will try to tempt us with lust and anger.
Many people die in the wilderness because they do not overcome anger, their own emotions (going up and down), covetousness, pride, and lust. God does not want us to die in the wilderness. He wants us to prosper, just like His Word tells us in 3 John.
In Exodus 2:11-15, Moses showed his anger and wrong mercy when he killed the Egyptian. He misunderstood God’s love and acted out of his own understanding. God couldn’t use Moses until He knew that he would give up his own life and understanding (by taking his sandals off).
When you receive God’s promise, it’s like receiving a seed. You have the choice to plant it or to throw it away. You choose what kind of soil you plant it in and how you take care of it. You determine the destiny of your promise by how you take care of it.
Take off your sandals. Receive His promise. Let Him take you to a land of milk and honey, a place where you can freely worship God. Be encouraged when you come into a time of wilderness. Praise God in every trial. He is doing mighty things in your life!
God bless you,
Pastor Sun Hui East
I will fight the good fight! Thank you for sounding the battle alarm Pastor Sun East
Anger is hard to deal with, when you feel like things are not fair, you feel it’s okay to be angry. I pray that God delivers me from anger so that I can receive His blessings. Thank you for the word.
Again, great posting Pastor Sun Hui East! God will definitely use the wilderness!
We miss you in Colorado Pastor Sun Hui East! Lisa told me you were blogging your messages now and we are very happy to see this. God bless you in all you do! (we have a nephew in San Antonio that was an extra in your last movie, he loved your team & the whole experience)
Good words Pastor Sun Hui East! It was nice to meet you the other day, and our staff is looking forward to working with your production team more in the future. Keep in touch!
So true Pastor Sun Hui East. The ONLY way to God seems to be complete humility… (I’m working on it, help me Lord!) Praise Him!
I know that this teaching is true because of my own testimony. The Lord had to get me to a place where I would set my own plans aside, before He would give me any wisdom or insight about His own plans for me… I am so grateful that He changed my perspective. I am on a totally different path now, both in my job and in ministry. Praise God! Thank you Pastor Sun Hui East for you uncompromising guidance, it is appreciated more than you know.
Powerful posting this week Pastor Sun Hui East. Thank you so much! I am Getting better each day… my past is disappearing in the new thinking & joy that Jesus is giving me. Love & gratitude to you for following Him so closely! God bless your ministry this week!).
PS. I hope your movies go throughout the entire world, I’ve see two of them and really enjoyed them both. The world needs more of that type of movie!
I want to be able to freely worship God and I’ve only understood that recently -God is still teaching me. Great blog Pastor Sun Hui East, I will be back!
I learned a lot just now from this post. I realize that I never understood exactly what the Lord was saying in this passage about the burning bush and why Moses needed to take off his sandals.
My daughter Anne told me to look up Pastor Sun Hui East start learning from her. (Anne came through a really rough time in her life by reading books by Pastor Sun Hui East and won’t stopp “pushing” her teachings) I’m glad she kept at me about it.
Comforting words, good clarity on Scripture. I appreciate that PAstor Sun Hui East, I will be back to this blog!
I couldn’t agree with you more Pastor Sun Hui East, I know that the Lord wants us to LET GO of ourselves (AND that this includes our plans, our dreams and our pride) So painful, but life in Him won’t truly start until we do it!
Powerful message in this post Pastor Sun hui East. It made me cry… thank you!