Friday, June 21

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In Exodus 4:6-8, God gives Moses three miraculous signs to convince him (Moses) and the Israelites that GOd has truly sent him as their deliverer.  Yet even after witnessing and performing these miracles by the hand of God, Moses still doesn’t want to go.

Let's remember, the Lord is not requesting the help of Moses . . . He is sending Moses!

This is an assignment, not extra credit. Moses now resorts to an excuse which is very popular in Christian circles. In today's vernacular He would be saying, "Lord, you know, speaking in public is not my gift."

Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (4:10-12)
It is possible that Moses did have a problem

• He may have had a speech impediment
• He may have been "rusty" with his Hebrew or Egyptian
• It is possible that he didn't like speaking in public

There is certainly much to be gained by trying to discern what God has equipped you to do. It is good to try to identify your spiritual gifts but we should do so in an effort to find direction for our lives . . . not in order to limit what we do for God.  If the prophets handled spiritual gifts like we often do, most of the prophets would have never left home! They would have concluded that it was not "their gift". Moses is trying to hide behind His inability but God is telling Him that He will not call Him to something that He doesn't equip him for.  

God says the same thing to you. If you will follow Him, He will give you what you need. If you are willing to serve Him, He will equip you to serve Him well. You may not have a natural talent in a particular area but if God has called you to a particular work, He will give you what you need.  There have been many times in my life where I was called into situations I felt completely unqualified for . . . and yet when I took a step of faith and agreed to what God called me to do . . . He gave me the ability, strength, wisdom, the words, the patience . . . whatever was necessary. 

Finally, Moses has run out of excuses. He can't stall any longer. 

But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." Then the LORD’S anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.  - Exodus 4:13-16

Moses is stalling. He's digging in his heels and bordering on throwing a tantrum. He says, "I don't want to!" and God says, "Tough! If you're scared I'll give you Aaron to work with you." 

I wonder how many people are living miserable lives right now because they refuse to do what God has told them to do. Rather then moving forward, they continue to make excuses. Instead of obeying God they try to come up with reasons why they shouldn't have to obey. Instead of trusting God's promise they trust their fears. Are you one of those people? 

Moses is out of excuses. He has a job to do. He and Aaron are going to walk into an impossible situation with a God who shines brightest in impossible situations. And as a result, Moses became the leader of Israel. As a result of Moses moving forward he came to talk with God as a friend.  In the end, Moses came to know an intimacy with God unlike any other individual other than the Lord Himself.

But what if Moses hadn't gone?  What if he had flat out refused? I think Moses would have faced the discipline of the Lord. He would have forfeited the joy that came from living God's way. But Moses didn't refuse. Instead he was used by God in astounding ways.

Do realize that the same choice is before you? Are you making excuses so you don't have obey? Are you making excuses so you don't have to do what you know God wants you to do or to go where He wants you to go? Are you making excuses for why you will not trust Him? Is there some excuse for why you have not made the decision to trust His grace for your eternal life?  

Jeff Frazier