“Who am I to go to the king and lead Your people out of Egypt?” — Exodus 3:11
That’s the questions Moses asked God at the burning bush. Moses had been out tending the sheep when he saw this phenomenal anomaly taking place. He decided to investigate it closer. From a distance it seemed as if the bush was on fire, but it wasn’t burning up. As Moses got closer to confirm his suspicions a voice spoke to him and Moses responded to it. Moses knew this was out of the ordinary and we’re told he was even afraid to look, so he hid his face from God.
But God told Moses, He saw and heard what was happening to His people as slaves in Egypt and He was going to save them, and He was going to do it by using Moses. Moses was going to deliver them from their oppression and tyranny. God sent Moses to the king of Egypt to lead the people of Israel.
“But Moses said…” How often to do have a rebuttal? How often do we respond with something like, “Who me?” “You want me to do what?” And then we even go on to tell God and others why we can’t do what was asked of us. “I don’t have the time…” “I don’t have those gifts…” “I’ve never done that before…”
I wonder if God ever gets frustrated? I mean, He had just told Moses, in no uncertain terms, that the people of Israel were coming out of Egypt and he was going to be the one to do it. What more did he want or need? What more do we need?
We’ve been given our marching orders, to go set people free, telling them the Good News of Jesus Christ, but like Moses we’re still looking for someone else to do it. Moses didn’t stop with the “Who me?” concept either. He followed it up with, “But what should I say, if they ask me Your name?” Genesis 3:13 CEV
Good thing my Bible reading only went to Exodus chapter three today, because Moses has two more ridiculous questions in chapter four that I won’t even entertain in this devotion.
Here’s my word of encouragement for you today
Before you start listing off all your reasons and excuses why you can’t do what God has asked you to do, consider hearing Him out first and then when He’s told you what He’ll do through you, just do it! Step out in faith. Believe Him. Trust Him. He wouldn’t ask you, if He didn’t know He could do it through you. You see, He believes in you!
Father,
Forgive me for my reluctance to do what You’ve asked me to do. Forgive me for coming up with all my excuses to not do what You assigned for me. Holy Spirit, as You lead, I will follow. Empower me! In Jesus mighty and precious name I ask this, Amen.
Rev. Dr. MM Marxhausen
Mark was Spiritual Director for VdC from 2016 to 2019. He's written many of the devotions, especially the Devote and Affirm series, found on this website.
