The Thread: Part IIنموونە

God Qualifies the Called

God spoke and called Moses to liberate his people from Egyptian slavery. We can imagine the dread that flooded Moses' heart when he heard, "Come, I will send you to Pharaoh." God's motive for this call upon Moses was his compassion: the text says God saw, heard, and knew all about the deep sorrows the Israelites were experiencing, and he wanted them free of it. His plan included Moses.

Aren't you glad that God sees, hears, and knows all your difficulties and has a plan to help you? The same is true for the lives of others around you, and God's plan to intervene for their rescue will often include you.

Moses' response ("I'm not the guy!") tells us his self-confidence level was zero, and he doubted God's character: when God said the elders would listen to Moses, his first response was, "What if they don't listen to me?"

Do any of the following excuses sound familiar? "But I am only 13 years old! I am a single mom, barely getting by! I can't go on a mission trip. I'm retired, and my health isn't as good as it once was. I was raised without a good example. I never finished high school! I am just not good at teaching that age."

Following the Lord requires confidence in God's character and choices, that he can empower those he calls, and that the direction he gives is good. His answer to every doubt is, "I am with you, and I am important. I will provide for you and show you what to say and do as you step out in faith and obedience. Trust me."

Question: God is always inviting you into deeper waters. Are you quick to find excuses that disqualify you from obeying? What do you believe about God's ability to equip you for each assignment?

Prayer: God is faithful to equip you. Tell God about the issues you feel are your biggest limiting factors, and release them to him. Take a moment to listen to what he wants to tell you about your weaknesses.