Exodus 4:1-17

In this passage, we see the conversation between Moses and God right after God called Moses to set his people free from Egypt. Moses disputes this calling three times, first by saying that nobody will believe he is sent by God. He then uses the excuse that he isn't qualified, as he is not eloquent and he is slow of speech. His final dispute is simply a plea for God to use anybody else but him. God, of course, has an answer to each of these.

First, God tells Moses that he will give him signs that show God's power; God's power over creatures (the staff and the snake), his power over man (the leprous hand), and his power over nature (the water becoming blood). God then tells Moses that He himself will be Moses's mouth and teach him what to say. And in response to Moses's final plea, God gives Moses his brother as an instrument to speak to Pharaoh.

Moses lived thousands of years ago, and I think we make the same excuses that he did in our own lives today. We, as followers of Jesus, are called to share the gospel and make disciples. Often, we fall short of that calling from God, and we give God the same disputes that Moses did.

It is very easy for us to say, "They won't believe what I tell them about God. They already have their own opinion, their own thoughts, and there's no way they would believe in my God." And God gives us the same answer he gave Moses. He has given us his own Spirit, living within us, that has the power to do the same things that Jesus did. He has given us every spiritual blessing, and immense authority to show his power in the world. We can pray, we can heal, we can prophecy, we can teach. All of those are expressions of God's power, not our own. God is saying to us today, "If they don't believe your words about me, then I will show them my power through you."

We also make the same excuse that Moses makes about his speech. When we feel God call us to talk to someone specific about the gospel, it is easy for us to say, "What if I mess up the gospel? I'm not good at explaining things. I'm not a good teacher. I'm not a very outgoing person when I talk. I don't have a voice that people want to listen to." God gives us the same answer he gave Moses: He is our mouth! He is our tongue! He will guide us and teach us what to say. We speak out of his power, not our own ability. And sometimes, when we're not convinced of those first two answers, we just ask God to use someone else. Someone more qualified. Someone more bold. Anyone but me. And God gives us the same answer he gave Moses. Especially here at Wesley, he has surrounded us with other people to help us in what he has called us to do. Often, when we don't believe we are qualified to do the work that God wants us to, God will place people in our life that will stand by us, help us, encourage us, and push us towards God.

Go share the gospel. Every excuse that we can make to not share the good news of Jesus Christ is rivaled by an all powerful God who gives us everything we need to do what he says. Be encouraged and trust the fact that God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called.

Prayer

God, Thank you for how good you are to us. Thank you for your grace. Would you give us the trust and confidence that you will teach us how to share the gospel? Would you give us faith, and would that faith lead to us sharing the good news with every student on this campus? We acknowledge that we can't do anything without you, so would you come and help us? We love you. Amen.

Author | Hunter MacInnis