Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
May 17, 2023
Exodus 4:1-17
1 Then Moses replied, “But what if they don’t believe me or pay attention to me? They might say to me, ‘The LORD didn’t appear to you!’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What’s that in your hand?” Moses replied, “A shepherd’s rod.” 3 The LORD said, “Throw it down on the ground.” So Moses threw it on the ground, and it turned into a snake. Moses jumped back from it. 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Reach out and grab the snake by the tail.” So Moses reached out and grabbed it, and it turned back into a rod in his hand. 5 “Do this so that they will believe that the LORD, the God of their ancestors, Abraham’s God, Isaac’s God, and Jacob’s God has in fact appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to Moses, “Put your hand inside your coat.” So Moses put his hand inside his coat. When he took his hand out, his hand had a skin disease flaky like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your coat.” So Moses put his hand back inside his coat. When he took it back out again, the skin of his hand had returned to normal. 8 “If they won’t believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second sign. 9 If they won’t believe even these two signs or pay attention to you, then take some water from the Nile River and pour it out on dry ground. The water that you take from the Nile will turn into blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the LORD, “My Lord, I’ve never been able to speak well, not yesterday, not the day before, and certainly not now since you’ve been talking to your servant. I have a slow mouth and a thick tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who gives people the ability to speak? Who’s responsible for making them unable to speak or hard of hearing, sighted or blind? Isn’t it I, the LORD? 12 Now go! I’ll help you speak, and I’ll teach you what you should say.” 13 But Moses said, “Please, my Lord, just send someone else.” 14 Then the LORD got angry at Moses and said, “What about your brother Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak very well. He’s on his way out to meet you now, and he’s looking forward to seeing you. 15 Speak to him and tell him what he’s supposed to say. I’ll help both of you speak, and I’ll teach both of you what to do. 16 Aaron will speak for you to the people. He’ll be a spokesperson for you, and you will be like God for him. 17 Take this shepherd’s rod with you, too, so that you can do the signs.”
Good Morning; God gives us everything we need!
We, humans, have many frailties, but one thing we are very good at is making excuses. I feel Moses’ pain when God asks him to lead the Israelites. Moses does not feel capable of doing this, so he begins making excuses. “What if they don’t believe or pay attention to me?” Then, there is the whole challenge with speaking in public excuse “I have a slow mouth and a thick tongue.”
Think about it! How would any of us respond when called to such a difficult task? After all, he is a simple man, a shepherd; he’s not a leader. In his defense, Moses believes that God is asking too much, and perhaps someone else would be better suited to accomplish this. God has answers to each of Moses’ concerns, so Moses reluctantly accepts his calling.
Two things stick in my mind as I consider Moses. God chooses ordinary people and provides them with everything needed to do extraordinary things. Truly, Moses wasn’t a leader, but by the grace of God, Moses became a great leader. Moses didn’t ask for this, nor even want it, but accepted his role when called by God. It’s okay that he questioned God and tried to say no because he was being honest in recognizing his earthly abilities. God called Moses a sinner and answered, “I will go where you lead me.”
My second thought is more of a question. Surely there was someone in the group with established leadership qualities. Why didn’t God choose that person? Of course, we could ask this question of many of the ones God chose as his messengers. In choosing Moses, Abraham, and Mary, God chose humble people who would listen and accept their calling. None of these were perfect or without doubts along their journey, but they were filled with humility.
Those who are filled with earthly ambition are unlikely to put the needs of others before themselves. Moses’ call was to lead the Israelites to the promised land, a journey filled with challenges. Abraham was called to birth a great nation even though he was “old” and he and Sarah were beyond childbearing age. Mary, a young, unwed girl, was called to deliver the Messiah to a people in great need.
God knows our gifts and potential and has a plan for us! Sometimes, these plans take us in a new direction. Those who answer God’s call are blessed.
Blessed God, We thank you for Your blessings. Sometimes we have doubts when you call us. Help us trust in You. Thank You! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God calls us to use our gifts to serve others.
What is God asking you to do? Pastor Liz
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