“What might change in our life if we really believed… in our guts that God sees us and He hears us? What sin might we walk away from? What confidence might we gain? What if we truly believed that God keeps his promises? How might we mine the Word of God for His promises? How might we cling to them when things are dry or stormy or dark?” – Matt Chandler, Our Story in Exodus

Have you ever prayed a super risky prayer of willingness, offering up to God that if He could use someone like you – whatever it is that He’s calling you to – you’d do it?

“Here I am, Lord. Use me.”

You want to be used. You’ve prayed to be used. You may have even walked an aisle at one point, following a clear move of the Spirit, to boldly say “yes” to doing great things for God.

Except, of course, you really didn’t mean that you’d do just anything.

If you’re like me, you may have even had the perfect ministry scenario match-up already scripted out in your mind. Surely He’d use my most obvious strengths, in my most ideal location, to impact my preferred demographic, and it would all come together in the most efficient, angelic sort of way down to the very last detail, right? Heh.

Boy, does God have a sense of humor.

Facing Goliath definitely wasn’t David’s most obvious strength, entering the lion’s den wasn’t Daniel’s most ideal location, reaching the people of Nineveh wasn’t Jonah’s preferred demographic, and forty years in the desert most certainly wasn’t the Israelites’ most efficient route.

And eloquent speaking before a really intimidating, powerful national leader for sure wasn’t on Moses’ top ten list. Return to Egypt and free the Israelites from slavery? Surely God was confused. In fact, Moses wasn’t asking to be used, and he definitely wasn’t feeling equipped for the task. 

Out of the burning bush he had heard the Lord call His name. “Here I am,”  Moses had answered, not yet knowing Who was calling or what was at stake. But after hearing God’s version of his next assignment, Moses opposed God at every angle as his brokenness surfaced and his fear and weakness overwhelmed him…

Who am I, Lord? 

In Moses’ first forty years he had been somebody – a rescued, protected, provided for, favored, influential prince of Egypt. But one life-altering decision had sent him running for his life and into obscurity for the next forty. Moses went from residing in the palace to herding sheep in the desert – an official, unqualified “nobody” in the eyes of the Egyptians. Surely there’s been a mistake, God. You’re going to use this lowly outcast to do great things for You? I don’t think so. 

But God answered: I will be with you. I’ll do the work. My strong hand will guide you. I will provide for you. It will come to pass and you’ll know without a doubt that I AM was the One who sent you.

No one will listen to somebody like me. 

Fear of man began to overwhelm Moses. He knew the Egyptians were a tough crowd, and his comfort zone for the last forty years had to do a whole lot with convincing sheep to follow him instead of people. If his age, occupation, and foreigner-status weren’t enough, then returning to the scene of his crime surely was the convincing disqualifier. I’ve lost all respect from these people, God. I’m not your guy.

But God answered: My power will be with you, Moses. I’ll equip you with signs and miracles – not just one, not two… but three of them, just to be sure that they’ll listen. “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”

I don’t have the right gifts.

As Moses began to break down just exactly what God was asking him to do, his greatest weakness began to stare him in the face and paralyze him with fear. Moses didn’t have the gift of speaking. In fact, God wanted to bring Moses’ greatest weakness to the forefront in what already seemed like an impossible task! With so many cards already stacked against him, Moses knew that he didn’t stand a chance once he opened his mouth. Lord, I can’t speak – never could, never will. I’m so weak. Please… I’m not cut out for this.

But God answered: I made you. I know you. I love you. I will speak for you. “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LordNow go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Someone else is more qualified.

An exasperated Moses objected and pleaded once more, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”  I’m DYING, you guys. “Pardon, Lord?”  After all of that? Let’s not forget that the God of heaven is miraculously appearing before Moses in a burning bush. He has already promised signs and wonders, and has patiently reminded Moses over and over that He is Creator, Sustainer, and Lord above all. But in his brokenness, Moses plays the comparison game in one last ditch effort to get out of this thing. Some people are made for things like this, God. Clearly, You’ve made a mistake.

Now before we begin to criticize Moses, don’t you see? This is us.

Like Moses, we get hung up on the mistakes of our past, the limitations of our present, and the impossibilities of our future. We name ourselves broken instead of fixing our eyes on Jesus who came to redeem our sin – past, present, and future – once and for all. We name ourselves inadequate instead of looking to our strong Father who is willing and able to apply His sufficient strength to our present weakness. We name our situation impossible instead walking in the Spirit who lives and longs to do the impossible through broken vessels just like us.

We were never meant to be good enough. We were meant to come to the end of ourselves so that we can be rescued and then rest in the great I AM.

Child of God, He names you chosen.

And He doesn’t make mistakes. God had been faithful to Moses in the past, and He wasn’t about to leave him now…

And He’ll do the same for you.

At His feet,

 

 

 

 

*Let’s talk: How are you letting fear and weakness prevent you from doing what God is asking you to do? What’s one way you can rest in God’s faithfulness today as you say “yes” to Him?

Week 2 Video:

If you can’t see this video, you can view it here.

Week 2 Challenge: Write a list of the ways that God has been faithful to you in the past. Let this list be a reminder of who God is and how He is able to help you overcome your fear and weakness as you say “yes” to Him.

Week 2 Reading Plan:

Week 2 Memory Verse:

Today begins WEEK 2 of our Broken & Redeemed study! If you’re just now joining us… you can grab a copy of our Broken & Redeemed journal on Amazon here or download it at this location.

We also have a corresponding kid’s Broken & Redeemed journal geared for children in elementary grades. You can grab a copy on Amazon at this location. 

Grab your favorite beverage, crack open your Bible, and together let’s rejoice with the broken and redeemed of God.

 

WhitneyD

WhitneyD

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