TUESDAY, JANUARY 15
Exodus 4:1-17
Acts 7:25

“… But …”

EXCUSES NOT TO SERVE (II)

Moses’ third excuse was that the people would not believe God’s appointment of him. This seemed like another reasonable concern. Why should they listen to an eighty-year-old shepherd from nowhere, believe that their God had commissioned him, and follow him out of Egypt? God gave Moses three miracles that he could use to prove to the people that God had indeed appeared to him and sent him to them. The first miracle was turning his rod into a serpent and back into a rod. The second was turning his hand leprous, and then healing it. The third miracle was turning river water into real blood. But Moses still had a fourth excuse: he was not eloquent. God patiently responded that He who made man’s mouth could surely enable and would even teach Moses exactly what to say. Unable to win the argument with God, Moses flatly told God to send someone else instead of him. When all his excuses failed, Moses finally exposed his unwilling heart. Moses’ refusal to go angered God after all of God’s assurances. God told Moses to take Aaron his brother along with him to be his mouthpiece as Moses stood in God’s place.

God repeatedly used “I will” to promise Moses, and to us too today. There should be no more excuses of fear or unwillingness. But we are very good at coming up with seemingly valid reasons not to serve. A time will come when our objections will anger God. God preserved our lives, saved us, and has been providing for us for a purpose. But having established our lives and families, we then refuse to serve Him when the time and need arise. When the call comes to step up and do something for God in church, we are very good at giving very seemingly valid excuses. But the bottom line is “I don’t want to do it” because it is burdensome and will disrupt my peaceful and laid back life. Yes, Moses’ life would be very different from here on. But it would be a life fully used by God.

THOUGHT: Am I too comfortable and just want to stay in my comfort zone?
PRAYER: LORD, help me to start taking up the challenges and be useful for Thy kingdom in this life.