More Excuses
Exodus 4
The last chapter showed us how Moses made a couple of excuses when God shared his plan with him and this chapter Moses is not giving up on the excuses. I heard this statement about excuses: Excuses are like armpits, everyone has them and they all stink. Moses replied to God with, “They will not believe me or listen to my voice.” God responded with not a comment but this time he showed Moses a little bit of how powerful God is. He told Moses to throw his staff on the ground and the staff turned into a snake. God was saying fine if you are not going to listen to my voice, maybe you will listen to my power. If the staff turning into a snake wasn’t enough, God told Moses to put his hand in his cloak and when he pulled it out it was leprous (a disease). He then put his hand back in his cloak it was restored to normal. God was not only showing Moses his power but also an example of what will happen so that Hebrew people will know who God is and even the Egyptians. You think these two wondrous signs and the burning bush that is still going and the voice from God would be a sign enough for Moses. Maybe he was thinking something was in the water or maybe he ate some bad dates because he still made another excuse. He said, “Lord I am not a good speaker.” Good one, Moses, NOT! God’s answer is just and perfect. He said, “Moses who has made man;s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? As God is asking this rhetorical statement he is just telling Moses, I am God, I got it. Moses still said, “Lord send someone else.” The Lord who has been so patient with Moses during these two last chapters he finally said, “Your brother will be used to speak for you.”
God says, “Go” but we say, “No”
There are many times I know God has wanted me to go and talk to a certain person, or help someone out. Out of all those times, how many do I listen and go? I am so quick to say, “No.” I even will think, “God there probably is someone else more qualified.” All Christians are so quick to use an excuse. Instead we need to be more willing and say thank you Lord for allowing me to be used by you. Romans 12:1 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Ask yourself what are some things you think God may have wanted you to do but you made an excuse? What are some things that you are afraid of? What is holding you back from being used by God? What are some ways you could be used by God?
