And the LORD said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people … and have heard their cry … I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them. … Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” —Exodus 3:7-8a, 10 (NKJV)
Have you ever had a situation bother you so deeply it consumed you until … finally, you were called to action? Some people seem to thrive on being thrust into the middle of a challenge. In fact, the bigger the challenge and the more impossible it is, the better they like it. Confrontation is no problem for them. For most of us, however, that’s not the case! We avoid rocking the boat if at all possible. Most of us can handle a “go do” challenge pretty well—up to a point—but sooner or later, we will face one that seems impossible. We will find ourselves saying some of the very same things Moses said to God.
Moses had a righteous anger about the mistreatment and plight of his people. He was so brokenhearted that he took the law into his own hands and murdered an abusive Egyptian (Exodus 2:11-15). Now, here he stood, far from Egypt, a murderer, a fugitive from justice, and a stinky, lowly shepherd. After almost four hundred years of bondage for his people and seeming silence from God, Moses was hearing with his own ears God’s assurance that He had seen their oppression. He had heard their cries. He knew their sorrows, and He was going to bring them out of their bondage. Yay!! “And by the way, Moses—I’m sending you to Pharaoh.” “What!?” One can feel his stunned silence as he stood there, wide-eyed, jaw dropping to the ground, and frozen in place.
Moses immediately stuttered out five reasons why that was a really bad idea. God had an answer for every one of them. Maybe some of His answers will help when God calls us to do “the impossible.”
“Who am I that I should go?” (Ex. 3:11). It had been a long time since Moses was a prince in Egypt. Have you ever asked the same question? Why me? Who am I? God’s answer is the same for us as it was for Moses: It’s not about who you are, but who I am! “I certainly will be with you” (Ex. 3:12). He is not distant. He’s a personal, intimate God. He handpicked Moses to partner with Him for the job and promised that He would go with him and equip him. He does the very same thing for us as well. He is a perfectionist at using weak vessels.
“When they ask what Your name is, what shall I say to them?” (Ex. 3:13) Moses would need to go under a name with more power and authority than Pharaoh’s—and Moses knew that was not his name. His authority would have to come from the “I AM God,” the Self-Existent, Eternal, Creator God alone (Ex. 3:14). We’ve been given that same authority and Name to go and share the Gospel and be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.
“But suppose they won’t believe me or listen to me?” (Ex. 4:1). Moses was not responsible for the outcome. His job was simply to go and tell, to be God’s willing instrument in His plan. God would equip Moses for the task by giving him the ability to perform miraculous signs that would back his words, and He promised that the elders would listen to him and heed him. Ultimately, Pharaoh would let them go (Ex. 13:18, 20). In the same way, it’s not our job to convince. It’s our job to go and tell, to be His instrument, and to leave the results to Him. We, too, must not underestimate the power of God’s Word. It will accomplish His desires (Is. 55:11).
“I am not eloquent. I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Ex. 4:10). Oh, can I ever relate! I write far better than I speak. What if I get all tongue-tied? What if I say the wrong thing? What if I can’t find the right words? What if I sound stupid? God reminded Moses—and me—of the One who made his mouth and opened the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf. Moses’ assignment was simple: just go and tell. God would give him the words and be right there with him (Ex. 4:12).
“O my Lord, please send whomever else You may send” (Ex. 4:13). Ever said that? Well, after all his objections and after all the reassurance God had given him, God’s reaction to this one was—you guessed it—a little ticked off. But He met Moses right where he was. God had a plan to send Moses’ brother Aaron to be his spokesman. Aaron was already on his way (Ex.4:14-16). God will not send us out on a task without equipping us with all we need. He will not send us out alone. He has provided us with the fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ. More importantly, we have our Living God right inside of us.
Like Moses, we can become so focused on the “I” of self that we let fear, insecurity, self-centeredness, feeling insignificant, inadequate, unqualified, unskilled, and unprepared rob us of the blessings that come with trusting and obeying. Or we can focus on the I AM God. Like Moses, we can ask our questions and then, in faith, “go do.” The “I” we focus on will determine whether our assignment is a crisis—or a confidence. I know which one I’d like mine to be.
Father, help me not to focus on “I” but on You, the Great “I AM.” I love You, Lord!
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
—Philippians 4:13 (NKVJ)
In Him,
Donna Perkins
Sweet Selah Ministries
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A very thoughtful message Donna. thank you. A message we all need
Thanks Donna, a very thoughtful message, and meaningful. The p;icture too, - perfect!
Thank you so much. I can so relate to Moses!
Thank you for your lesson. I liked how you enumerated Moses' reasons not to obey, and how you expressed God's provision. Thank you for choosing these scriptures.
I can so relate to Moses and so thankful for God’s grace.