Lord, sometimes when I read the Bible, I can’t help but laugh. I see again and again how You managed to use weak and hesitant people to accomplish you purposes. Today I was reading about Moses’ calling. From the very beginning, he argued and tried to get out of his assignment, yet You had uniquely prepared him for the task at hand. Still, as anyone with a divine calling knows, it is not enough to be prepared when it comes to fulfilling your purposes. Usually, You call us to far more than we are capable of accomplishing without your direct intervention— that is to show it is your power and not ours. Of course Moses felt unable! The task was too large for any man. Even though You told him that You would be the one to deliver the Israelites, he got overwhelmed and afraid. He reminded You several times about his limitations. Like Jeremiah he wasn’t skilled in speech, yet You still called him. How many times have I marveled at Moses’ audacity to argue with You when You appeared to him at the burning bush? Then I marvel with your patience with him, that You took the time to show him you power, and then explain that the One who made the mouth can certainly equip it to speak. But even then, he saw his limitations as bigger than your ability to overcome them. Every time I read this story, I wonder and even laugh that Moses could be so afraid even after all You had done. From my twenty first century easy chair, I sit and think how silly he was for failing to charge forward after all he had seen and heard.
Then after Moses finally got the courage to go to the Israelites, they believed him and everything seemed good up until pharaoh decided to cut back on work supplies. Suddenly the people who seemed supportive of his ministry became skeptics and turned on Moses. “They did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery” (Ex.6:9), and as soon as this happened Moses started reminding You about his weaknesses again. This came right after You had reminded him that You would redeem with your great power, and every time I read that I laugh at Moses.
Today, I realized I do the same thing every day! I know what You have called me to do, and I have also experienced miracles. I have observed Your mighty power over and over again. Sure, I haven’t witnessed a burning bush or a staff turned snake, but I have seen amazing answers to prayer time and again. I also know that You have called me to ministry in a vocational sense, but every day I get up and tell You how impossible it seems. I tell You I am too busy, too financially limited, too limited by people, too scattered, too overwhelmed with life, and so on. So now I need to stop and laugh at myself. Sorry Moses, I take it all back. I completely understand now! Lord, thank You for your incredible patience with me. I used to wonder if you were rolling your eyes at Moses, and now I wonder the same about me. How do You continue to put up with our fears and weaknesses? How or why do I continue to make them bigger than your ability to overcome them? Please forgive me, and help me to always marvel at You and your ability to do anything rather than my own limitations.
And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. Ex. 14:13-14.
See my daughter, Moses learned, even as you are learning. Once again, it comes back to the mind. Where do your thoughts dwell? If you are frustrated about the constraints of your life and situation, then your mind needs to be transformed. Only then will you be able to discern my good and perfect will for your life (Rom: 12:2). Sanctification is a process and you won’t be perfect until that day when you see my face. Rest in me, and let me fight the battles for you. Do not let fear enter your heart. That is a choice. Even though you have overcome fear in many areas, you are still fearful. You think that you are going to be stuck in this wilderness forever, but I have different plans. Your job is to believe, and obey when I call. Make yourself ready, and be ever listening for my still, small voice in the midst of the chaos and confusion. I am here and at work in your life to accomplish my purposes. You are right, the job is too big for you, so stand and watch Me. I am faithful to complete what I start (Ph. 1:6), and my gifts and calling are irrevocable (Rom. 11:29). That means this is not up to you, but Me. Perhaps you can delay it, but you cannot stop my plan. Stand firm, trust Me and watch what I will do.