INTERESTING FACTS : Most ancient writings do not even profess inspiration, but the Bible professes not only to be inspired, but to be the ONLY inspired writing (Isa. 8:20). The central character of the Bible, the Lord Jesus Christ, professes to be the ONLY way to Heaven. Unlike the ancient philosophers, the men of the Bible are men who speak with great power, certainty, and authority[1].

DAILY READING : [EXODUS 4 - 6]

TEXT : Exo. 4:10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. Exo 4:11 - And the LORD said unto 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? Exo 4:12 - Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. Exo 4:13 - And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. Exo 4:14 - 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.

THEME : FEELING INADEQUATE

No true minister has ever responded to the call of God on his life without feeling a sense of trepidation, apprehension, and inadequacy. The biographies of the great preachers of history are stories of men who felt reluctant, deficient, unworthy, uneasy, nervous, troubled, and apprehensive concerning their ministry. They also had, or at times developed, disabilities and infirmities such as anxiety, depression, and physical weakness and illness directly related to their call of duty and its performance. True ministry is demanding. It requires the entire man - spirit, soul, and body. In some cases, a particular call to ministry can be dangerous as well.

It is evident as we look at the lives of the characters of the Bible, they were ordinary men whom God empowered and strengthened to say and do what He wanted. If not for God's anointing, they would not and could not have spoken God's message. Jonah tried to run from God, Jeremiah stated he was too young, Amos was a shepherd and said he was not a prophet [though obviously we know he was since he spoke for God]. Moses in chapter 3 of Exodus tells God he cannot speak well. He even asks God to excuse him from the task of going to Egypt to rescue the Israelites and send someone else. It is certain, true ministry is not a work to be taken lightly. The call of God is a serious duty that requires God's personal preparation so He can qualify those he calls. We saw this with Joseph in Genesis. Now, we will see this with Moses in Exodus.

Still, God will have His way with men. Jonah is swallowed by a great fish then spit on the shore of his destination for ministry. Jeremiah is warned not to say he is too young and further admonished not to fear the people he will prophesy to or else God will cause him to be filled with fear. Thus, we find with Moses. God says if you cannot speak, your brother can. Therefore, God tells Moses He will tell Him what He wants said and done, and then Moses will instruct Aaron what to speak and do. God's purposes cannot be stopped. No man - not even his fearful and reluctant servants - can thwart God's plan for the world. He creates all of us for a purpose, and He intends His trees to produce fruit. In Moses case, there was a special deliverance for the Jews - now held as slaves in Egypt that God had foretold to Abraham about six hundred years earlier. The "iniquities of the Amorites" was now full, and Israel was ordained to take the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore, God raised Moses up to perform His will and fulfill His covenant with Moses' forefathers.

However, what we notice in the Bible is that God does not treat His servants as machines that respond when He pushes a button. Rather, we see God entering into relation with His chosen people and there is dialogue, discussion, as well as debate. God created Man for fellowship with Him, and it is interesting to see how God is patient and willing to explain or argue His position when it comes to His eternal purposes. We observe this fact with Jonah, Jeremiah, and the other prophets and patriarchs as well. God is not at a loss to fulfill His will [Jesus said if the children did not cry out when He entered Jerusalem the rocks would have to]. It is simply that God wants to employ men to execute His plans. Thus, we find God in discussions and debates with his own people. However, the men He calls - in reality, want to obey Him since God is Good and Great. They are merely reluctant. The reason for such hesitancy and even a lack of enthusiasm is that God calls His servants to do a work they cannot do. Yet, therein lays the blessing and comfort.

TRUTH FOR TODAY : FEELING HELPLESS DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE HOPELESS!

Moses weakness was an opportunity for God to exhibit His strength and power. God even tells Moses that Pharaoh will not let Israel go though He performs signs, wonders, and many judgments. In Romans, the Apostle Paul explains why Pharaoh would not let Israel go although his land was severely judged and nearly destroyed. "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth." [Rom. 9:17]

God told Moses that He would harden Pharaoh's heart. Even so, when Moses arrives in Egypt, he goes to God and asks why God has not done any good for Israel. Rather, Moses says, the situation for the children of Israel got worse. Specifically, their slavery became more vexing and difficult as the officers in charge of the Jews making bricks were beaten and threatened to produce without the usual supply of straw the Egyptians one time to furnish. As the Jews initial excitement about deliverance turns to anger, frustration, and contempt toward Moses, Moses is overwhelmed and alarmed. Although God told him this is how it would go, Moses pours out his complaint to God. Moses, like you and me, is just a man and prone to fear, frustration, confusion, and even anger.

The 17th century minister John Flavel once said - "Man's extremity is God's opportunity." In other words, when we are at our wits end, this creates an occasion for God to "show Himself strong." God's Word says - " For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him?"[2 Ch. 16:9]. Moses and the children of Israel will see many trials over the next forty years. Yet, each time, God will provide, protect, and deliver. Such is the way of the Christian.

Jesus told us the path to Heaven is a difficult one. Many New Testament verses point this out, but none so succinctly as this one in Matthew's account of the Gospel. " Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." [Matthew 7: 13 - 14] We were told we would suffer rejection, misunderstanding, persecution, hatred, tribulation, etc. We were told we needed to forsake the people dearest to us in the sense of comparison to our devotion to Christ.

However, though we feel helpless, we are not hopeless! We were also promised peace, joy, strength, deliverance, and most of all - Christ's continual help and presence in this evil world. We have been given eternal life as a gift, which is the power of an indestructible life! Like Moses, we may feel overwhelmed even though we were told in advance that the Christian life would be difficult. Yet, we were also told - as Moses was - "Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. [Exo 6:6 - 7]

Like Moses, we start with an ordinary stick in our hands that has no power. Yet, when God touches it, the shepherd's staff becomes the "rod of God." Indeed, we may feel helpless, but we are not hopeless. We have Christ who said - "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." [Luk 18:27] Like Moses and the children of Israel, our extremity is God's opportunity!"