“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 Lord? Now 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.
Clinging to this song today! Even in our brokenness the Great IAM gives us the power. Let His presence overwhelm you today. We do not go in our own strength but we go in the name of IAM
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y_VR-zwp2KA
Love that song so much, Sheila! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much for posting this song. We just sang this in church last night!
I love when we worship to that song it gives me goose numps
I LOVED what Yatin (sp) had to say and how she said it, would love to hear more from this lovely lady! This is my first time doing a study through LGG and I have been very blessed so far. So much rich content. It’s truly been a stream in the desert for me, right now. Thank you for everything!! You all are a blessing.
Awwww sweetness, we thank God for what He does daily through Love God Greatly. So glad you are studying with us. May the peace, love and joy of God rest with you and yours. Amen. Love from LGG.
I am with you, Rebecca. Such wisdom and grace from our sister! Thank you, Whitney for introducing us to her and may God bless her as she uses her gifts to share the Word around the world.
When God calls us to do a work for him like Moses we will come up with reasons that make us fear doing the work of our Father.We should not fear because he has already equipped us to do the task he sets before us.Just call on him to walk before us.
Brenda,
So we’ll said! As humans in a fallen world, it is so easy to only see our shortcomings and weaknesses. But God has a plan for us and is already there with us. He is our biggest cheerleader and pushes us out of our comfort zone to do great things! So glad you are with us and God Bless!
I praise God that all of you at LGG didn’t let your limitations, fears, past mistakes, and impossibilities get in your way when God called you to do these studies! There are no limitations! Thank you each for saying “yes Lord I will go”!
Patti honey, we thank God. God bless you dear. And may He continue to increase your knowledge of Himself. Amen.
Lately fear has been creeping in in the form of doubts about my abilities. I recently started a new job and have realized that there is a bigger learning curve than I originally thought! I feel like God has provided this opportunity for my family and me as provision for whatever He has planned for us next, but some days it’s hard to convince myself that I am able to do the work.
But God says that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)! God says that He knows the plans He has for me (Jeremiah 29:11)! God says that I am more than a conquerer through Christ (Romans 8:37)!
Great blog post Whitney! I have let fear get in the way several, if not many times. I have asked God “who am I” just like Moses did. I have ignored God’s call and the guilt just about ate me up inside. There have been times when I have felt that little nudge from God and I didn’t act on it. Ugh it makes me feel terrible. But I can move forward from this. I know that God has a plan and I know that he knows what he is doing. When he calls me to do or say something it is my responsibility to follow through. He expects his children to do what he says. My mom found this song on you tube and I think it fits so well with this week’s verses.
https://youtu.be/5KMmfUQB6ms