“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong…so that no one may boast before him.” 1 Corinthians 27, 29
Have you ever felt inadequate for a special task? How did you deal with it?
At the burning bush Moses was told to take off his shoes. Then God spoke these comforting words to him: “I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them.”
This was good news indeed! At last God had heard Moses’ prayers.
And then God made a shocking announcement: “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:7,8)
Moses’ response was much like ours. “Who me? God, you have the wrong person,” he said. “Don’t you remember, I tried to save my people but it ended in disaster. I’ve been hiding in the desert for these forty years now. I’m an old man and don’t have the energy. Besides, I’m not a speaker. I could never convince Pharaoh to let the people go.”
Of course, God knew all that. He was well acquainted with Moses’ failure and inadequacy. But Moses did qualify on one count: God loves to use ordinary, weak, human beings to do His work.
Like us!
How did God do it? God did not transform Moses into suddenly feeling adequate and strong. God said, “I will be with you.” In other words, “I will do this in your shoes, Moses.” It would be God through Moses who would free his people.
That’s the way it’s going to be with us too.
Thank you, Father, that I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)
