Drawing from Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush in Exodus 4, Jordan Sauser examines how we often resist God's calling through fear, excuses, and disobedience, just as Moses did. Like Moses, we need to learn that God wants to use us as instruments in His hands, displaying His power through our weakness rather than our strength.
Scripture Text
Exodus 4:1-20
Main Points or Ideas
- We Fear Outcomes - Moses begins with "what if" scenarios despite God laying out the complete plan, demonstrating our tendency to worry about things as though they're all up to us when they actually rest in God's hands. God redirects Moses' focus by asking "What's in your hand?" showing that we are simply instruments like the rod - powerless without God's direction but mighty when used by Him.
- We Form Excuses - Moses claims he's not eloquent and is "slow of speech," which is really a form of blaming God for how He made him. True humility doesn't just see our insufficiency but also sees God's all-sufficiency. Our excuses are often covers for alternate desires - we simply don't want to do what God is asking.
- We Fail to Obey - When Moses finally says "send someone else," we see his heart of rebellion that angers God. This progression from fear to excuses leads inevitably to disobedience. God doesn't need us but graciously chooses to use us, and He's looking for willingness rather than ability.
Conclusion
God is training us daily like He trained Moses, and we must recognize this preparation process rather than "beating around the bush" with fears and excuses. We need inward change, not external convincing, and God's strength is made perfect in our weakness when we humbly obey.
