God and Moses

And the Lord said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow (Exodus 4:6)

One reluctant cat
I am laughing, after just having read Exodus 4:1-11. If you don't own a Bible, and you do have the internet, you can read this for yourself. God is giving Moses his work order, and Moses is one reluctant cat. When I think about having a direct conversation with God, how Moses had this type of relationship with God Almighty, I am astounded and amazed, that he would argue with His creator. Then I think about me, and how willing I am to do the same, each time I forget to remember that I am powerless, while God, is all powerful! 

Moses is afraid of public speaking, he is afraid people won't believe him, and he asks God to find another man to do His bidding, despite God turning a staff into a snake, a healthy hand turned leprous and back again, and a promise to turn water into blood.

The point here, is that we can do nothing by our own strength and everything with God working in and through us.

And the LORD said to him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? (Exodus 4:11-12).

God empowered when we submit

I have to chuckle again, because Moses remains reluctant, and aren't we the same dear reader? I mean we get excellent instruction, we get our marching orders, we are equipped and then, we stutter start, doubting ourselves, our capabilities, our calling... and rightly so! We can do nothing powerful from our own strength:

I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13)

It is our ego and pride, that prevent us from performing-and it is performance that is problematic! The self-consciousness that accompanies being centre stage, is about how we believe we will be perceived, rather than how we can glorify God, by doing what He asks of us: we are, after all, so very self-absorbed by nature.

And he said, O LORD, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send (Exodus 4:13)

Well this is not good dear one. Moses is so frightened, that he asks God for a replacement. No guts, no glory? Not really. God is merciful and gives us ways to complete the tasks He assigns. He will take our human frailty and obstinance, and get the job done regardless of our unbelieving attitudes; He does, however, get irritated with us:

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs (Exodus 4:14-17)

Gods anger burned against Moses. Have you ever gotten red-hot-burning-mad dear reader? Have you ever felt so hot under the collar, that you wanted to hurt someone because they went against all that you believe in, hold near and dear, and would die for even? What did you do with yourself in that state? Did you give yourself full permission to attack, vent, explode, retaliate? Look again at the above verses, at how God handled the situation.

God lets us know He is in charge
I like the fact that God asked Moses to put his hand inside his cloak and it came out leprous. I see in this one simple act, God letting us know who is in charge. Nothing and no one, is beyond His power, and He can and does, do with us what He wills. It is no consequence to Him, when we disregard or disobey, He will still, get the job done, even with unwilling participants. It is contentious to argue with Him, and we run the risk of His disapproval when we do.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7)

God offers
God makes us offers all the time. He knows what abilities we have, and do not have, and He tells us, you can do this, not because you are oh so astoundingly awesome, but because I AM. What He asks of us, He will equip us for, in the doing. You don't have to worry, wonder or doubt, He has every bit of the plan covered, with or without our willingness.

So, what has He asked you to do, to say? Are you saying no to Him dear reader? Still? Are you sure you want to keep that up? He is, after all, God, you know! 

Cup your ears, have a good listen, get your work order and get the job done.

Go on now, don't leave His work for you, up to someone else:

For it is God which worketh in you to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13)