There are moments in life when we encounter something so profound that it feels like we are standing on holy ground. For some, it might be a quiet moment in nature, standing at the edge of the ocean as waves crash endlessly upon the shore. For others, it may be a stirring worship service, where voices rise together in praise, and God’s presence feels undeniably near. Still others may remember a simple conversation, perhaps with a mentor, pastor, or friend, that changed the course of their lives forever.
What makes those moments holy is not the physical space but the reality that God has chosen to break into the ordinary, transforming it into something sacred. Holy ground isn’t about geography—it is about the presence of the living God. For the prophet Jeremiah, holy ground was the moment God interrupted his youth with a calling far bigger than he could ever imagine. For the early Christians reading the letter to the Hebrews, holy ground meant recognizing that they no longer stood trembling at Mount Sinai, but rejoicing at Mount Zion, the unshakeable kingdom of God in Christ.
The same God who met Jeremiah and who strengthened the early church is still calling His people today. He is still meeting us in our weakness, still inviting us into His mission, and still grounding our lives in a kingdom that will not be shaken. Where God calls, His presence equips—and there you stand on holy ground.
What makes those moments holy is not the physical space but the reality that God has chosen to break into the ordinary, transforming it into something sacred. Holy ground isn’t about geography—it is about the presence of the living God. For the prophet Jeremiah, holy ground was the moment God interrupted his youth with a calling far bigger than he could ever imagine. For the early Christians reading the letter to the Hebrews, holy ground meant recognizing that they no longer stood trembling at Mount Sinai, but rejoicing at Mount Zion, the unshakeable kingdom of God in Christ.
The same God who met Jeremiah and who strengthened the early church is still calling His people today. He is still meeting us in our weakness, still inviting us into His mission, and still grounding our lives in a kingdom that will not be shaken. Where God calls, His presence equips—and there you stand on holy ground.
Known and Chosen by God
Jeremiah’s story begins not with his decision to follow God but with God’s initiative. The Lord spoke to him and said:
“I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).
Notice the order of events. Before Jeremiah had a chance to speak, plan, or even imagine his future, God already knew him, formed him, set him apart, and appointed him. The prophet’s identity and mission were rooted in the eternal knowledge and will of God, not in his own ability, desire, or qualifications.
This truth echoes throughout Scripture. Psalm 139 reminds us that God has searched us and known us, that He understands our thoughts from afar, and that He is intimately aware of all our ways. Long before we drew our first breath, He knew us. Long before we stumbled through our first steps of faith, He had already chosen us. Long before we ever doubted our worth or usefulness, He had already called us into His story.
This means that none of us are accidents. Each life is an intentional act of divine creation. Each person has been woven together by the hands of the Creator with care and purpose. As Peter declares to the church:
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
We are not here to drift through life aimlessly. We are here to participate fully in God’s story of redemption. That is holy ground.
Yet, if we are honest, many of us struggle to believe this. Feelings of insignificance or doubt creep in. We look at our failures, our shortcomings, our sins, and conclude that perhaps God could use someone else—anyone else—but not us. But the reality of being known and chosen by God is that our lives take on eternal meaning. His choice gives us significance beyond what we could ever generate for ourselves. His knowledge of us means that He has factored in all our flaws, yet still called us. His appointment sets us apart for a mission that matters forever.
When you grasp that God has known you, chosen you, and set you apart, you are standing on holy ground.
Called and Equipped Despite Weakness
But knowing that truth doesn’t erase our insecurities. Jeremiah’s immediate response to God’s call was not a bold declaration of faith but a protest:
“Oh no, Lord GOD! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth” (Jeremiah 1:6).
The young prophet’s insecurities rose to the surface immediately. He felt too inexperienced, too unqualified, too weak. And if we are honest, we can relate. We have our own versions of Jeremiah’s excuse:
“I’m too old.”
“I’m too busy.”
“I don’t know enough about the Bible.”
“I’m not spiritual enough.”
“I’m not a leader.”
“I don’t like the situation I’m in, so I’ll just sit this one out.”
Jeremiah’s “I am too young” is echoed in our hearts as “I am not enough.”
But notice how God responds. He doesn’t argue with Jeremiah about his self-assessment. He doesn’t say, “You’re wrong, Jeremiah—you are strong and wise!” Instead, God simply says:
“Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to rescue you” (Jeremiah 1:8).
God doesn’t promise Jeremiah that he will suddenly become eloquent or fearless. He promises His presence. The call is not about Jeremiah’s ability but about God’s availability.
Paul captures this beautifully in 2 Corinthians 12:9 when the Lord tells him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” The call of God is never dependent on us being enough—it is always about Him being enough.
To seal His promise, God touched Jeremiah’s mouth and placed His words there. It was not Jeremiah’s speech that would carry the mission but God’s Word spoken through him. In the same way, we are not left to figure out our calling alone. Christ Himself opens the way for us to draw near to God without fear. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we have not come to Sinai with its terror but to Zion with its grace. He writes:
“You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, to myriads of angels, a festive gathering… and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant” (Hebrews 12:22–24).
At Sinai, the people trembled in fear. At Zion, we are welcomed in joy. We are no longer defined by fear but by favor.
Think of a parent teaching a child to ride a bike. The child wobbles and cries, “I can’t do it!” but the parent runs alongside, steadying the handlebars, whispering, “I’m right here.” That is how God calls us—not by erasing our weakness but by filling it with His presence. Jesus opens the way for us to step into mission with confidence, not because of who we are but because of who He is.
When we resist God’s call, it is as if we are shutting the door to Him, saying, “You can’t come in.” But when we open ourselves to Him, weakness becomes the very place where His strength shines the brightest.
Standing on Holy Ground: Living with Awe and Mission
So what does it mean to stand on holy ground today? Hebrews 12:29 declares, “Our God is a consuming fire,” yet just before that the writer assures us: “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28).
Holy ground demands reverence. But for the follower of Jesus, this reverence is not born of terror or dread. It flows from gratitude. At Sinai, worship meant standing far away, afraid to draw near. At Zion, worship means stepping close with confidence, knowing that Jesus has opened the way.
Three words in Hebrews capture our response: thankfulness, reverence, and service.
Holy ground is not casual. It is not a place for complacency. To stand on holy ground is to live in awe, to build our lives on what cannot crumble, and to respond to God’s call with obedience.
Michael Heiser once wrote, “Believers are holy ground, the place where the presence of God resides.” That means we are not just called to experience God’s presence—we are called to carry it into the world. Jeremiah wasn’t called to enjoy God’s nearness for himself but to carry His Word to the nations. Likewise, our holy ground moments aren’t meant to be stored away. They propel us outward into mission.
Think again of Moses at the burning bush. Holy ground wasn’t the end of the story—it was the beginning. From that encounter, Moses was sent to lead Israel out of slavery. Holy ground is never a campground; it is a launchpad into God’s mission.
And so we ask: how do we live on holy ground in a shaking world? The Scriptures point us to practices that root us in God’s presence and propel us into His mission: abiding in Scripture and prayer, loving others intentionally, practicing humility, seeking repentance and renewal, living with gratitude, sharing the good news, and staying rooted in community.
To begin, here are three simple action steps:
As we reflect on Jeremiah’s calling and the vision of Hebrews, we see the same truth unfolding across time: when God calls, He provides His presence, His grace, and His mission. Jeremiah faced a world of political instability and spiritual drift, yet God’s Word anchored him. The early church endured persecution and uncertainty, yet they were reminded that they belonged to a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
And now, in our own day of shifting foundations, God calls us to the same holy ground. Faith Bible Church, this is our calling: to know who we are in Christ, to live with confidence in His presence, and to step forward in mission with reverence and awe. When fear whispers, “You are not enough,” let God’s voice thunder back, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”
Where God’s call meets your obedience, there you stand on holy ground—unshaken, made new, and sent for His glory.
Jeremiah’s story begins not with his decision to follow God but with God’s initiative. The Lord spoke to him and said:
“I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).
Notice the order of events. Before Jeremiah had a chance to speak, plan, or even imagine his future, God already knew him, formed him, set him apart, and appointed him. The prophet’s identity and mission were rooted in the eternal knowledge and will of God, not in his own ability, desire, or qualifications.
This truth echoes throughout Scripture. Psalm 139 reminds us that God has searched us and known us, that He understands our thoughts from afar, and that He is intimately aware of all our ways. Long before we drew our first breath, He knew us. Long before we stumbled through our first steps of faith, He had already chosen us. Long before we ever doubted our worth or usefulness, He had already called us into His story.
This means that none of us are accidents. Each life is an intentional act of divine creation. Each person has been woven together by the hands of the Creator with care and purpose. As Peter declares to the church:
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
We are not here to drift through life aimlessly. We are here to participate fully in God’s story of redemption. That is holy ground.
Yet, if we are honest, many of us struggle to believe this. Feelings of insignificance or doubt creep in. We look at our failures, our shortcomings, our sins, and conclude that perhaps God could use someone else—anyone else—but not us. But the reality of being known and chosen by God is that our lives take on eternal meaning. His choice gives us significance beyond what we could ever generate for ourselves. His knowledge of us means that He has factored in all our flaws, yet still called us. His appointment sets us apart for a mission that matters forever.
When you grasp that God has known you, chosen you, and set you apart, you are standing on holy ground.
Called and Equipped Despite Weakness
But knowing that truth doesn’t erase our insecurities. Jeremiah’s immediate response to God’s call was not a bold declaration of faith but a protest:
“Oh no, Lord GOD! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth” (Jeremiah 1:6).
The young prophet’s insecurities rose to the surface immediately. He felt too inexperienced, too unqualified, too weak. And if we are honest, we can relate. We have our own versions of Jeremiah’s excuse:
“I’m too old.”
“I’m too busy.”
“I don’t know enough about the Bible.”
“I’m not spiritual enough.”
“I’m not a leader.”
“I don’t like the situation I’m in, so I’ll just sit this one out.”
Jeremiah’s “I am too young” is echoed in our hearts as “I am not enough.”
But notice how God responds. He doesn’t argue with Jeremiah about his self-assessment. He doesn’t say, “You’re wrong, Jeremiah—you are strong and wise!” Instead, God simply says:
“Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to rescue you” (Jeremiah 1:8).
God doesn’t promise Jeremiah that he will suddenly become eloquent or fearless. He promises His presence. The call is not about Jeremiah’s ability but about God’s availability.
Paul captures this beautifully in 2 Corinthians 12:9 when the Lord tells him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” The call of God is never dependent on us being enough—it is always about Him being enough.
To seal His promise, God touched Jeremiah’s mouth and placed His words there. It was not Jeremiah’s speech that would carry the mission but God’s Word spoken through him. In the same way, we are not left to figure out our calling alone. Christ Himself opens the way for us to draw near to God without fear. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we have not come to Sinai with its terror but to Zion with its grace. He writes:
“You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, to myriads of angels, a festive gathering… and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant” (Hebrews 12:22–24).
At Sinai, the people trembled in fear. At Zion, we are welcomed in joy. We are no longer defined by fear but by favor.
Think of a parent teaching a child to ride a bike. The child wobbles and cries, “I can’t do it!” but the parent runs alongside, steadying the handlebars, whispering, “I’m right here.” That is how God calls us—not by erasing our weakness but by filling it with His presence. Jesus opens the way for us to step into mission with confidence, not because of who we are but because of who He is.
When we resist God’s call, it is as if we are shutting the door to Him, saying, “You can’t come in.” But when we open ourselves to Him, weakness becomes the very place where His strength shines the brightest.
Standing on Holy Ground: Living with Awe and Mission
So what does it mean to stand on holy ground today? Hebrews 12:29 declares, “Our God is a consuming fire,” yet just before that the writer assures us: “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28).
Holy ground demands reverence. But for the follower of Jesus, this reverence is not born of terror or dread. It flows from gratitude. At Sinai, worship meant standing far away, afraid to draw near. At Zion, worship means stepping close with confidence, knowing that Jesus has opened the way.
Three words in Hebrews capture our response: thankfulness, reverence, and service.
- Thankfulness reminds us of what Christ has done.
- Reverence reminds us that God is infinitely greater than we are.
- Service reminds us that worship always overflows into action.
Holy ground is not casual. It is not a place for complacency. To stand on holy ground is to live in awe, to build our lives on what cannot crumble, and to respond to God’s call with obedience.
Michael Heiser once wrote, “Believers are holy ground, the place where the presence of God resides.” That means we are not just called to experience God’s presence—we are called to carry it into the world. Jeremiah wasn’t called to enjoy God’s nearness for himself but to carry His Word to the nations. Likewise, our holy ground moments aren’t meant to be stored away. They propel us outward into mission.
Think again of Moses at the burning bush. Holy ground wasn’t the end of the story—it was the beginning. From that encounter, Moses was sent to lead Israel out of slavery. Holy ground is never a campground; it is a launchpad into God’s mission.
And so we ask: how do we live on holy ground in a shaking world? The Scriptures point us to practices that root us in God’s presence and propel us into His mission: abiding in Scripture and prayer, loving others intentionally, practicing humility, seeking repentance and renewal, living with gratitude, sharing the good news, and staying rooted in community.
To begin, here are three simple action steps:
- Make space daily for God’s voice. Set aside even a few minutes each day to read Scripture and pray, asking the Lord to remind you of His presence and calling.
- Lean into community. Join with other believers in worship, small groups, or even informal friendships that encourage you to live out your calling together.
- Look for opportunities to serve. Holy ground is never meant to be private; ask God to show you one way each week to bring His love into someone else’s life.
As we reflect on Jeremiah’s calling and the vision of Hebrews, we see the same truth unfolding across time: when God calls, He provides His presence, His grace, and His mission. Jeremiah faced a world of political instability and spiritual drift, yet God’s Word anchored him. The early church endured persecution and uncertainty, yet they were reminded that they belonged to a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
And now, in our own day of shifting foundations, God calls us to the same holy ground. Faith Bible Church, this is our calling: to know who we are in Christ, to live with confidence in His presence, and to step forward in mission with reverence and awe. When fear whispers, “You are not enough,” let God’s voice thunder back, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”
Where God’s call meets your obedience, there you stand on holy ground—unshaken, made new, and sent for His glory.
Posted in Pastor
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