Originally published Wednesday, 08 June 2016.
But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else. Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses...” Exodus 4:10-14
In his youth, Moses was pawing at the ground like an impatient puppy, ready to change the world and deliver his people. Murder wasn't out of the question, in fact. He was so ready - or so he thought. Then life and maturity took over, turning Moses' youthful pride into insecurity, filling him with self-doubts and God-doubts.
Whatever happened in Midian, Moses was no longer the same man. Yet, he was still full of himself.
Because pride and insecurity are just different sides of the same issue.
They both must elevate Self in order to survive; pride demands attention, and insecurity shies away, but both are equally fixated on the betterment and preservation of Self, at all costs.
And so, Moses' insecure response to "please send someone else" appears humble at first glance. Yet, the Lord's anger flared because Moses' persistent look at himself only, rather than the power of God.
God called Moses, as He calls us, to walk in His purpose with obedience. And obedience is just another word for sacrifice.
In sacrifice, we can't insecurely cling to our fears and doubts, with eyes only on our own capacity. And, in sacrifice, we can't pridefully cling to our potential and strength, with eyes only on our own capacity. By God's grace, those tendencies are laid down, and our eyes are lifted to the One who embodied obedience and embraced sacrifice on our behalf:
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name. Philippians 2:8-9
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for your example of obedience and humility. Help to pursue you rather than preserving ourselves. Give us hearts that say "yes, Lord" rather than "please send someone else." Keep our feet on the path of your purpose, not running ahead in pride or lagging behind in insecurity. Jesus, teach us how to walk with eyes only on you. In your name, amen.
31 Days of Purpose: Devotions from the early life of Moses
From a boat-basket to a burning bush, Moses’ call to leadership is filled with everyday people and situations, all divinely orchestrated for God's divine purpose. As we study the early years of Moses, we see a consistent theme of God raising up the unlikely and transforming the average with His anointing. That's me, and that's you - common people, yet commissioned for a high calling. Let's step into it this month, together. Click here for the whole series.
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