EXCUSES, EXCUSES

At the burning bush, God told Moses that He was listening to the cries of the Hebrew people as they labored under the hot Egyptian sun, whipped and beaten into submission. He’d heard their prayers for deliverance. He knew that they were abused, impoverished, and enslaved, and He would soon set them free! In fact, God was planning to lead His people out of Egypt and into the land of Caanan.

Speaking from the blazing bush, God said, “That’s what I going to do… and I’m sending you … so, saddle-up and go!” “I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them, therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:9–10).

Can you see Moses back-peddling? Can you hear him saying, “but God … but … but … but… Why me? No, not me!” “Moses asked God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ ” (Exodus 3:11).

Was Moses just being humble, modest, unpretentious? After all, “Moses was a very humble man, more so than anyone on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). Was Moses just being polite or was Moses telling God that He had chosen poorly? “God, I can’t do what you’re asking. I’m an octogenarian, a runaway murderer, a washed-up old shepherd! I’m simply not capable!”

Listen to God’s answer? “I will certainly be with you…” (Exodus 3:12). God wasn’t asking Moses to do the impossible … alone. God was inviting Moses to tag along, and to watch as He did the impossible.

Yes! Moses was right. He wasn’t capable, alone. But God is always capable!

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).