Be honest with God
God is speaking to Moses from a burning bush in this chapter and the previous one (as we saw yesterday) because He has a big job for Moses to do – to ask Pharoah to set His people free from the slavery they were in, in Egypt.
I don't think anyone would disagree that Moses is a hero of the faith. The writer of Hebrews names him as a man of faith. So Moses' response in this passage encourages me. God shows Moses 2 miraculous signs: turning his staff into a snake and back again, and turning Moses' hand leprous and restoring his skin again. He also told Moses about a 3rd sign he could perform if Pharaoh would not listen – turning the Nile to blood.
Even after seeing these miraculous signs, Moses was still so reluctant and gave every excuse under the sun for not doing the job God had for him to do. I know so many times I don't want to do things I should do or I chicken out of stepping out for God. But Moses, a mighty man of God, shows here that he felt the fear; he knew what it was like to be reluctant, to not want to do things. He argued with God using every excuse and reason he could think of, and each time God counters the excuses.
Despite this rocky start for Moses, God doesn't give up on him. He doesn't say, “Ok, see you later!” and leave Moses alone. He could see in Moses the man He could use for the huge task of setting all His people free. So God just kept reminding Moses that He was with Him.
God would rather us be honest with Him about how we are feeling. He knows anyway! Just like the story in Matthew 21:28-31a
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'
29 “‘I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,' but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered.
This parable shows us how God wants us to be honest with Him. The first son said no because that is how he felt at that time but then changed his mind and obeyed. The second son just said what he thought the father wanted to hear but had no intention of action or obedience.
That is why Moses is actually a good example to us. He is honest with God. And as a result, God stills Moses' fears. Moses is open and real before God and this allows God to work in Moses' heart. As a result, Moses is obedient to God and he becomes one of the greatest (if not the greatest) leaders the Israelites ever had. Moses could have said, “Ok God” and walked off back home and ignored what God had said and we would probably never have even heard of him! Thankfully, Moses listened and obeyed. Although it cost him a lot, like moving his whole family a long way and persecution from enemies/Israelites, but Moses gained such an intimate relationship with God as a result so I'm sure he'd say it was all worth it!
So don't be afraid to be real and honest with God. He knows how you are feeling and as you open yourself to Him he meets you right where you are at and provides you with the help, peace and comfort you need out of his great love for you. From this place we can step out in obedience and do all that God asks of us – the big and the small. And with each step of obedience we take, we grow closer to God developing a close and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father.
What has God been asking you to do that you have been ignoring or saying no to? Bring it to God in prayer today – be honest with how you feel and watch God meet you where you are at. Then step out! Be obedient! (This is a real challenge for me too – let's be obedient together and refuse to let fear hold us back any longer!)
Amie Lymer
