"Witnessing Excuses: Moses and You – No. 1"
But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11
What a challenge God gives us when He tells us that we will be His witnesses to the ends of the earth! We have witnessing opportunities among family and friends, neighbors, co-workers, and fellow church members.
What a challenge God gave Moses to free Israel from bondage in Egypt. Alone as a shepherd in the Sinai desert for 40 years, Moses, a fugitive from Egypt, is now asked to return to Pharaoh and free his people.
Moses begins to make excuses because he fears the awesome challenge. When God asks Moses to go to Pharaoh, Moses replies with the words of our text. In effect Moses tells God that he is a nobody. What sounds like humility on the surface turns out to be cowardice. Moses, once a prince of Egypt, reared in Pharaoh’s household, now feels inadequate for the task.
We often ask with Moses, “Who am I that I should witness about my faith in Jesus Christ to others?” We may have a college education and hold a responsible job, but we feel like a nobody when it comes to witnessing.
God answers Moses, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). He was preparing him in the wilderness. He would send the Messiah to save Moses from his sin. He promises to be with Moses constantly. Hence Moses’ first excuse is countered. Because of God, Moses is a somebody, able to go to Pharaoh.
God answers us, “I will be with you.” He made us as special people with gifts and abilities. He sent His Son to be our Savior. He made us His children in our baptism. And He promises to be with us each day. We are somebodies, able to witness to others about our faith in Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for making us special in Your sight through Jesus Christ. Empower us to witness to Your love every day. Amen.
(Devotions from “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter, copyright 1988 CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For ordering information, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 3-4 2 Corinthians 12
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