“…Moses replied, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?”
God must find that annoying. The man He chose to lead the Jews and deliver them from slavery, now has issues with God’s strategy. The leader He prepared from birth is now balking at the gameplan.
The Red Sea and other miracles are yet to come… But God wasn’t asking Moses to do anything supernatural…just talk to Pharaoh. Instead, Moses grumbles that even his own people don’t pay attention to him…why would Pharaoh listen?
If you’re like me, and that sounds like something you might say when challenged – then there are three lessons, we need to learn this morning:
1. God’s plan can be difficult – push through it.
I know that doesn’t sound theological or compassionate, but 1 Peter basically says don’t be surprised in this life when you get hit in the mouth…We live in a fallen place and trials happen… But it also says don’t worry because Jesus is bigger than whatever hit you.
Be ready for it…take the hit…and keep on going.
2. God’s plan can be frightening – do it anyway.
Giving an unpopular lecture to Pharaoh was a dangerous thing to do…Moses had no speechmaking skills, that wasn’t in his wheelhouse…and a mistake could be lethal. But God said do it anyway. Sometimes your plans and Gods won’t match up – choose His.
3. God uses flawed men to do marvelous things – saddle up.
This is the big lesson. Don’t hide your fear under false humility. Moses wasn’t humbly stating that he wasn’t a good speaker, he was saying he was afraid to speak. He was bowing to fear – and fear doesn’t come from God.
Moses didn’t believe he was qualified – and he wasn’t. That is part of what qualified him… If you think your competent to do what God has called you to do, you probably have either overestimated your abilities - or underestimated Gods plans.
Trust me, you’re not prepared for His vision – but fortunately it won’t be accomplished by your strength. The Lord intends to do far more than you could ever ask for or imagine.
God doesn’t need you to be ready or capable…He just wants you to trust Him and show up.
"Courage is being scared to death ... and saddling up anyway."
~ John Wayne
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