WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9
Exodus 2:11-22
Acts 7:20-29

“… a mighty man is not delivered
by much strength.”

FROM HERO TO ZERO

When Moses was forty years old (Acts 7:23), he went out to visit his Hebrew brethren. This meant that he knew of his origin. He wanted to see their burdens. When he secretly saw an Egyptian beating one of his own brethren, Moses came to the rescue. Ensuring that no other Egyptian was around, he killed and buried the body. The next day, he tried to stop two Hebrew men fighting. Instead of hailing Moses as their heroic rescuer from their Egyptian bullies, one challenged him: Who made him prince and judge over the Hebrews? Was he also going to kill him just like he had taken on himself to kill the Egyptian? Moses realized his act was no longer secret. When Pharaoh heard about it, he sought to kill Moses. Fleeing to the Midianites’ land, Moses defended seven daughters of Reuel against some shepherds who tried to chase them away from a watering well. Reuel invited Moses to live with them. Moses married Zipporah and they had a child, Gershom.

Moses sought to be identified with his brethren. Being “mighty in words and deeds” (Acts 7:22) in Pharaoh’s court, he thought he could deliver them from their bondage. Being eloquent, maybe he could speak up for his brethren. Being eminent in achievements, perhaps he could do something significant for them too. His distinguished role in Pharaoh’s court, now aged forty gave him confidence that he could deliver his brethren from their burdens. Moses probably thought he could be the Hebrews’ hero. But he found himself reduced to the level of a fugitive, he had lost the position and power that he could have used to help his brethren. Even when God intends to use us, He will not do so when we think we are capable because of our training, degrees, natural abilities, achievements, and position. Moses thought he was ready based upon his self-assessment, and took matters into his own hands. This is an important lesson for us: self-confidence renders us useless. Do not choose to learn the hard way.

THOUGHT: I may have training and achievements but they are still useless to God unless I humble myself.

PRAYER: LORD, humble me that I may be useful for Thee.