(Read Exodus 3:11 NLT) But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to look at the life of Moses. I can only imagine how Moses felt while he was standing at the burning bush, hearing from the Lord supernaturally, receiving notice of what the Lord wanted to do, and what his role was going to be. I know we sometimes read a few verses in scripture without appreciating the context. Let’s think about this for a minute. The United States of America has been a nation for 236 years. The Israelites had been under the captivity of Egypt for about 400 years. Let that sink in. You know the rich history we have as a nation. Last night our current President was re-elected to stay in office, but think of the 43 Presidents who have gone before him. President Barak Obama is the 44th president in 236 years. Pharoahs were not elected, they were born. So Egypt probably had not gone through 44 Pharaohs, but I am sure they had been through their fair share in 400 years. All the Israelites of Moses’ day knew was slavery, bondange, and submission to Egypt. The Lord then comes to Moses, a man who was raised in Pharaoh’s house, and tells him that He has been selected to go before Pharaoh and tell him that the God of Israel is commanding him to release the people after 400 years. This would be like God coming to you and saying, “I have heard the cry of my people and I know the blessing they used to walk in back in 1612 (400 years ago). I am now ready to get them back to that glory and I have selected you for the assignment.”
Joseph was instrumental in making Egypt a global leader. Egypt was a superpower in it’s day and it prospered from the work of the Israelites. The removal of the Israelites would severely impact Egypt, shift the national economy, and eventually redefine it’s status in the region. This was a monumental task. There was no way the Pharaoh would simply release the Israelites because Moses or some unseen God said to do it. And I am sure Moses was considering the enormity of the task when he thought to himself, “Why me?” Remember, this was the same guy who had messed up and seemingly wrecked his life. This was the same guy who murdered a man, in cold blood, and then buried him in the sand. This was the same guy who fled Pharaoh’s house, because the Pharaoh wanted him dead. This was the same guy who never really connected with the Israelites, because he was raised as an Egyptian prince. And now, after 40 long years in Midian, after having established a family in a new nation, the Lord comes to Moses, seemingly out-of-the-blue, and reveals this incredible assignment to him. It was too much for Moses to grasp and receive initially. Moses said, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” I will stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. You have to see it to be it. You will never be who you can’t see yourself being. Moses did not see himself as worthy or capable. In his mind he was both undeserving and inadequate. And this is why this series is about grace. Moses did not earn this assignment, all he had to do was receive it by grace.
2. Divine vision always requires divine provision. When you receive a vision from God, it will always require His involvement to come to pass. In other words, it will always be bigger than what you can do without Him. That’s why it must be received by grace and accomplished by faith.
3. It’s not just about you. You, like Moses, were born for a reason. And like Moses, the Lord has been working all your life to get you the point where you are today. He has done things for you that you have no clue about and it was all so He could accomplish His Kingdom plans and purposes for your life. Your job is to receive, believe, embrace, and then walk out in His divine assignment. It’s about Him!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for giving me my divine assignment by Your grace. You reveal it to me, You encourage me to accomplish what You have already graced me to do, and You then bless the work of my hands. I am Your child. My life is not my own. I am here in the earth to accomplish Your Kingdom plans and purposes, and I declare that I will. I shall find, follow, and finish my purpose in my life before I die. What You have given me to do is much greater than what I could accomplish on my own. Therefore, my faith and confidence is in You. I look to You as author and finisher, creator and sustainer, alpha and omega in my life. You gave me the assignment, You gave me the grace to fulfill it, and You then walk with me as I seek to accomplish what You have birthed me to do. I declare by this faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
