Daily Devotional | Excuses and Promises

I’ve heard people say that you can identify your calling by looking at what others tell you that you do best. That is often true. God does gift His children in particular ways, and He uses those gifts for His glory and the work of the gospel. Certainly, others might encourage those gifts. We ought to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24).

But there are times when God uses those things we aren’t good at for His purpose. In Exodus we see that happen to Moses. When God called Moses to bring His people out of Egypt (3:10), Moses objected several times. His first objection was his own inadequacy: “Who am I...?” (v. 11). To which God responded, “I will be with you” (v. 12). God promised His presence and a future hope. He painted a picture for Moses of the redeemed Israelites worshiping on that same mountain.

Moses was not convinced. He responded with a second, odd objection. He didn’t know how to identify God. The Lord responded, “I AM WHO I AM” (v. 14)—a rich name, affirming God’s eternal self- existence. God instructed Moses how to explain His identity and assured him that the Israelites would listen (v. 18).

Moses still faltered, claiming his own lack of credibility. The Israelites wouldn’t believe him (4:1). So God, then, performed three signs through Moses, demonstrating the power with which Moses would be authorized to act (vv. 2–9).

Even these miracles did not embolden Moses, and he responded with one final concern—his own lack of eloquence (v. 10). God reminded Moses that He made his mouth, and He would provide the words (vv. 11–12). At which point, Moses finally whined: “Please send someone else” (v. 13). And God got angry.