Being Ready for Use

In review of Exodus 4:10-13, it says, 10 But Moses pleaded with the lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”11 Then the lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

Bottom Line:

Moses pleads with God to not do something, claiming what seems to be legitimate shortcomings on his pat. God let's Moses know that He, “God” is in control of what a man can or can’t do. He still wants Moses to go and tells him that He, “God”, will be with and guide him. Moses still tries to get out of it.

What this means to me:

When God asks me to do something, I may feel inadequate or unprepared for such a task. There’s no use in arguing with God about it. If God wants me to do something, he will provide everything I need in order to accomplish it. I need not do it on my own strength and abilities.

In these verses I see Moses pleading with God to let him out of his mission. After all, he was not a good speaker and would probably embarrass both himself and God. But God looked at Moses' problem quite differently. All Moses needed was some help, and who better than God to help him say and do the right things? God made his mouth and would give him the words to say. In the end, God still wanted him to go and told him, I will be with you as you speak, I will instruct you as to what to say. However even with this assurance, Moses still pleaded with God to send someone else.

Like Moses, It is easy for me to focus on my weaknesses and back away from what He asks of me. But if God asks me to do something, then he will help me get the job done. If the job involves some of my weak areas, then I can trust that he will provide words, strength, courage, and ability where needed.

I can’t count how many times God has prompted me to do something, but I’ve talked myself out of doing it feeling inadequate or having it be out of my comfort zone. These verses remind me that if God asks me to do something, he will provide what I need in order to do it. I just need to do it with humility and his strength, not my own. I really need to be conscience of these situations and not quickly dismiss them. Being obedient means responding when he asks and not delaying or taking time to think about it. I can always think back to the example of Moses and his life. Even after doubting his own abilities, he surrendered and did what God asked him to do. And the results of his actions are apparent in the book of Exodus and Deuteronomy.

Today, I ask that God forgive me for not responding when I should have in the past. I ask him to help remind me of his promise to help with whatever he has asked.