Our obedience and God’s power — Scripture Reflection #081
Exodus 4:10-12 (New Living Translation)
10 But Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
11 Then the LORD asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
As God enlists Moses to deliver and lead Israel out of slavery, we see Moses make excuse after excuse in an attempt to escape God’s calling over his life. Instead of telling Moses that he was capable of this great calling or that he did indeed have the skills required, God speaks of His own power and ability. He wants Moses to know that the emancipation of Israel from slavery will not come to pass because of Moses and his skills (or lack thereof), but because of God Himself and the great power that He wields.
This is an important lesson that we need to realize and accept in our lives today as well. God often calls us to complete tasks that we feel we are not ready for, or that are out of our skill set entirely. We usually respond like Moses with excuses for why it can’t be done or why God should choose someone else and not us. Or we just don’t do what God is asking of us because “surely someone else will do it.” I know that I have this problem myself. We must understand, however, that it is by our obedience and God’s power that the task will come to completion. When we operate under this realization, we will find that God does show up and the tasks do get done. Before we know it, we will be advancing God’s kingdom here on earth. And our natural response will be to praise God!
The Point: When our obedience and God’s power come together, we get stuff done!
