Moses' Reluctance
Exodus 3:9-14
Sometimes when God gives us a task to do, we focus on our inabilities rather than His abilities.
Other than Abraham, Moses is perhaps the most looked-to figure from early Bible times as the leader of Israel. He led the Hebrew children out of bondage and into the Promised Land, helping deliver them from generations of slavery and oppression. Moses was greatly used by God in many ways-to stand before Pharaoh, to lead the people, to deliver the Ten Commandments to the people, to meet with God about His will for Israel, and to lead the people in defeating enemies. Yet although his many triumphs and victories paint him as a fearless leader ready to follow God anywhere, he didn't begin his leadership role that way.
As Moses tended sheep in the desert one day, he ran across a burning bush. I'm sure a brush fire in the desert wasn't an outstanding sight, yet this bush caught Moses' attention. The plant was on fire yet it wasn't burning. If you've seen a brushfire, you realize how quickly the leaves turn from green to black and shrivel, yet this bush wasn't following the laws of nature. Moses left what he was doing and moved closer to investigate.
While approaching the bush, he heard a voice that said, "Moses, Moses" and he answered, "Here am I." Then the Lord began outlining His plan to deliver the Israelites from their Egyptian captors. The Lord also told Moses that he would be God's instrument in speaking to Pharaoh and in leading the people (well over a million of them) on a journey from Egypt to Canaan.
How exciting! Moses would be used by God to bring what generations of Israelites had longed for and begged God for. God was going to deliver Israel and Moses was given the task of telling the Israelites the good news. Yet notice how Moses responded, "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11) Moses' question wasn't posed out of humility but out of fear.
Think about the fact that God was giving Moses the opportunity to be one of His choicest servants, to serve God in a major way, yet Moses gave God excuse after excuse of why he couldn't obey.
Sometimes when God gives us a task to do, we focus on our inabilities rather than His abilities. Yes, fear is common when facing a new, unknown task, yet rather than making excuses like Moses did, we should trust God's calling and be thankful for the opportunity to serve Him.
When God wants to use someone, He chooses His children who love Him, desire to serve Him, and are committed to following Him. When God gives you a task or seeks to use you in a certain way, thank Him for counting you worthy enough to serve Him. Don't let the task overwhelm you, but thank God that though He could use anyone, He has chosen to give you the opportunity to serve Him.
Daily Bible Reading
Jeremiah 30-31 | Philemon
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