LifeLink Devotions for Thursday, September 26, 2024

Exodus 4:10-12 

We tend to be insecure people. Some of us cover it with arrogance. Some cover it by striving for excellence. Others simply succumb to it and live timid lives. Moses tried the third option, making all kinds of excuses to God to remain in his obscure profession of tending sheep. But God had bigger plans for him, and He was helping Moses grow his faith to maturity so he could overcome his insecurities.

Moses tried to declare himself a nobody, to claim theological ignorance, to claim to have no authority, and now today he claims to be a poor public speaker.  We read about his excuse in Exodus four starting in verse 10.

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.”

In other words, “I got no grammar and people are bored when I talk.”

I am overjoyed at how much I learn from people who claim to not be able to teach. I am blessed by the things people say when those same people claim they don’t know enough to be a blessing to others. I am amazed especially for myself at how I am ever able to say anything of value, but I have learned the lesson that Moses needed to learn – God not only gives us what we need to say but also teaches us how to say it so that it is understood. I think this happens in two ways, both of which are totally the work of God.

1.    God’s Spirit empowers our thoughts and our tongues and brings clarity of thought and speech.

2.    God’s Spirit prepares the heart of the hearer to be touched by what He says through us.

Moses needed to learn that when God calls someone to a specific task, He has already made provision for every detail of that task to be accomplished. Nothing is left to chance, and nothing is dependent upon our ability. All God asks for is our availability. He simply wants us to go – He will handle all the details.

There are many of you reading this today who have missed out on some tremendous blessings by not becoming teachers, preachers, or simply witnessing about Jesus to others. There have been many opportunities for you to do it, but you have always responded with a “No!” because you have based your decision on your own analysis of your abilities rather than on God’s ability to equip you. Isn’t it time to let God stretch you? Get out of your comfort zone. Stop asking all the “Who, why, where, and how” questions. The only valid question for us to ask is “What?” “What do you want me to do?” God is the Who. He knows the where and the why. He is responsible for the how. Mature faith only asks the what. So beginning today, when God tells us what He wants us to do, just go, and He will provide all of the rest. 

Pastor John