The Power of His PresenceSample

The Reason for Our Confidence

“Who am I?”

That was the question Moses asked after encountering God at the burning bush and learning of God’s plan to use him, of all people, in what appeared to be the unlikeliest of rescue missions.

God simply replied, “I will be with you.”

Notice that God did not respond with an answer concerning who Moses was. He did not point out the ways in which He had prepared him or why He believed Moses was the best man for the job. It was sufficient to God for His answer to be that He would be with him. In other words, from God’s point of view, His presence was a sufficient enabling to confidently, yet humbly, lean upon Him and obey.

As so often is the case with us, Moses needed more reassurance. In the next chapter, we once again see him question the calling. He offers excuse after excuse, giving God every opportunity to recant His decision. Once again God makes it abundantly clear that the success of this job has less to do with Moses and more to do with Him by replying, “I will be with you when you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” (Exodus 4:12 NLT)

Again the answer is simply, “I will be with you.”

I wonder: if His presence is a sufficient answer for God to give, why is it so often not a sufficient answer for us to receive?

Is there a job set before you today, a person you are called to minister to, an opportunity that seems beyond you? Are insufficiencies and insecurities swirling in your heart and mind? Are doubts drowning the clear leading of the Spirit and confirmation through His Word? The answer God gave to Moses is the same answer He would give to you: “I will be with you.”

William Arthur Ward said, “God’s strength behind you, His concern for you, His love within you, and His arms beneath you are more than sufficient for the job ahead of you.”

In other words, His presence surrounding you is enough. You can, indeed, firmly trust and be confident in doing what He has called you to do—not because of you—but because of the promise of His presence with you.

You can be assured: “God with me: the reason for my confidence.”