There’s that little voice inside of me that tells me what I can’t do. It has followed me most of my life. When I am called to do something, perhaps something big, the voice shows up with a long list telling me all the reasons I’m not equipped for the task. Yet God looks at us in a different way. This is what I thought about when I read Exodus 3 and 4.
In verse 3:10, God said to Moses, “I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt (NASB).” I can almost hear the voice in Moses’ head telling him all the reasons he’s not equipped to do this task. Moses replied, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt (3:11)?” God reassured him that “Certainly I will be with you (3:12).”
Yet Moses continued to pepper God with “What If” scenarios to which God responded by telling him the signs he will perform. God specifically demonstrated some of these signs with Moses’ staff turning into a snake then back to a staff and his hand turning leprous then back to normal. Even after all this assurance, after seeing some of the signs, Moses is still unconvinced he’s the right person for the job.
Moses told God, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue (4:10).” The Lord responded, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say (4:11-12).” This reminds me of Mark 13:11: “When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.”
Moses’ response to God? He basically told him to pick someone else. God has hand crafted each of us with the exact ability to accomplish His purpose. It is easy to become scared about what he has tasked us with — seeing only reasons why it’s not possible. But God is all about doing things differently than the world. He sees what we can’t see. He sees abilities in us that we might not recognize.
God sent Aaron to calm Moses’ doubt. The Lord told Moses, “I will teach you what you are to do (4:15).” If you continue reading Exodus, you will see how God patiently helped Moses every step of the way, showing him how to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He eventually did what God told him he would do: “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain (Exodus 3:12).”
© 2020 CGThelen
140 Character Christian 
All the enemy ever has to do is to distract us from Him. I am in a bible study on the armor God…the shield is to protect but it was a heavy thing to hold up for long so at times a soldier would lets his slip low and the firey darts would get through, especially this ones they would shoot high in the sky instead of straight at them. The devil changes his aim to confuse and then we become an easier target. Get us to fear, or confuse us or question our faith in what God said He would do for us, our shield slips. It’s been a great study, one I needed badly since I have been in a battle over a move we had to make. I agree with Lisa..because the devil has said it to me, did God really tell you to take that step of faith. I wrote along the same line as you…so many of us the enemy wants to drop shield but loves to give the weak super natural strength. Blessings.
You are so right that our enemy uses distractions as tactic to make us lower our guard. In Ephesians 6 there is one piece of the armor of God that is not defensive — “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (6:17).” The word of God is an offensive measure that pierces the lies of our enemy. Verse 18 also talks about praying in the Spirit, another offensive move to stop the evil one. When we are immersed in God’s truth and prayer, we are less apt to fall prey to the evil one. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Blessings.
The enemy plays a role, too:
“Did God really say…”
Thanks for a vital, true encouragement.
Indeed, the enemy stalks us, waiting to devour. Thanks for the comment. Blessings.