10/21 Daily in the Word

I Don't Know What to Say
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
by Dr. Paul Chappell

"And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say."

Exodus 4:10-12

There will always be an excuse not to witness if you listen to your flesh.

Moses just couldn't agree to God's plan. He offered excuse after excuse, doubt after doubt, and tried to talk God out of using Him. "The people won't listen. They won't believe me. Pharaoh won't release the people." With every excuse Moses offered, God promised Moses He would help him. Yet Moses didn't seem to grasp the concept that he wasn't the one doing the work; He was simply representing God.

In Exodus 4:10, we see Moses offer yet another excuse why he couldn't be God's messenger. "Oh my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." This time Moses blamed his lack of speaking abilities for his unwillingness to trust God. Yet God offered a simple reply. He asked Moses one question: "Who hath made man's mouth?"

Basically, God said, "Moses, who made your mouth? Who formed your tongue before you were born? Who is it who gives you the breath needed to speak?" God wanted Moses to realize that the words he was going to speak would come from God.

How often do we act like Moses? How many times have we made excuses to God about why we couldn't witness to others? God desires that we would be His representatives and speak His words to others, yet many times we fear what others will say or how we will be treated.

According to studies, some of the top fears soulwinners have are being rejected, not knowing what to say, not saying things correctly, and not seeing people saved. Sadly, many Christians do not seem to realize that God hasn't called us to see results, but to be faithful to spread the seed of God's Word.

Many believers, like Moses, fail to grasp the concept that we are God's messengers. We aren't supposed to be mighty orators or eloquent debaters. God simply wants us to read His Word, share what we've learned, and tell others of God's gift of salvation. The words we speak come from God, for only God can work in the hearts of the lost to realize their need for Him.

What is your reason (or excuse) for not obeying God's command to witness? Have you ever ignored God's Spirit leading you to tell someone of Christ? Far too often Christians allow fear and doubt to keep them from obeying God. Like Moses, they debate God with reasons why they can't obey. Yet God simply wants us to obey Him.

God doesn't require you to know all the right words or know how to persuade someone; He simply wants you to submit to Him and obey His command to witness. It's not a matter of your ability, but your submission. God will give you the words to say, and He will work through you to touch other lives. You must simply obey.

Will you commit to being obedient every time the Holy Spirit prompts you to witness to someone? Will you determine to not listen to the devil's doubts and excuses, but follow God? You will always find a reason not to witness if you allow yourself to, but determine right now that with God's help and His words, you will obey His promptings to share His Good News.