(Read Exodus 3:18-22)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to look at the life of Moses. After the Lord told Moses to gather the elders of Israel, He told him exactly what to say, and the Lord even went to the extent of telling Moses what was going to happen before it happened. This is an awesome example of grace. I wish I could tell you that the Lord always works this way, but He doesn’t. Most of the time we have to walk out our journey by faith, not truly knowing how things will work out, not knowing when the breakthrough will come, but having complete faith and confidence in whom we have believed. In this case the Lord knew where Moses’ faith level was and He gave Moses the information he needed to step out in the faith he had. Isn’t it awesome how God knows how much we can handle and He never expects us to operate beyond what we are able to do. Sure, the Lord stretches us, in order to help us expand our capacity to believe, but He never expects us to do what He knows we are not equipped, enabled, or empowered to do.
The Lord let Moses know up front that Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, a man who was raised in the palace with him, would not let the Israelites go unless the Lord Himself compelled him to do it. There is no way a king would arbitrarily release a multimillion-man free workforce just because someone asked him to. However, the someone in this case (Moses) was being sent by the King of kings and the Lord of lords. So the Lord shared with Moses that He would have to strike the Egyptians with signs and wonders and that afterward the Pharaoh would relent and release His people. The Lord even went to the extent of making sure that His people did not leave empty handed. Not only would they come out, but they would come out with riches. The Egyptians would literally give the Israelites, their former slaves, silver, gold, and clothing.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. God wants to be the central character in your life’s story. In Sunday school we learned of what Moses did, but the more we read the story, the more we realize this story is about God and what He wanted to do for His people, through Moses. The same can be said for you. Will you allow God to use you, for His glory?
2. God will never expect you to do what you are not equipped to do. His instruction is always equal to His injection, so if He is sending you to do it, it is because you can. Expand your capacity to believe. See yourself doing what He wants you to do and attempt to do it by faith.
3. God often includes restitution with restoration. When God restores something to you that the enemy stole, that’s great. But it is even greater when he makes the enemy pay you back for the trouble you experienced. If the enemy has stolen from you and you believe God is leading you to experience restoration, then also believe God for restitution. I have personally experienced divine restitution and it is awesome. God did not have to do it this way, but He did, by His grace.
Closing Confession: Father, I want You to be the central character in my life’s story. I want You to operate freely in my life and I declare that I will fully cooperate with You, so You can. When people think of me, I want them to immediately think of You. I want my name to be associated with Yours. I want people to know that You are ON me, IN me, WITH me, and FOR me. I will get there because I am willing to do all You lead me to do. When You stretch me and tell me to do something that I am not comfortable with, I shall expand my capacity to believe and attempt to do it by faith, because I know You will never ask me to do something You have not already equipped me to do. And when You restore to me everything the enemy has stolen over the years, I also expect restitution with my restoration. You can make the enemy pay me ‘double for my trouble’ and I believe You will. You restore to me all that belongs to me and I am ready to walk in Your fullness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
