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Excuse #3
The Task-Filled Life Bible Study — Week 1, Day 3
Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’” (Exodus 4:1).
Here comes the motivation for most excuses – the fear of naysayers. They won’t believe. They won’t listen. Fearing the possibility of not being accepted, Moses preferred to say nothing at all. His weakened heart needed proof that He wouldn’t be a laughing stock to the Israelites.
God, at this point, gives Moses physical proof of what He can do to stand behind His name. He offers three visible signs of His power in verses 2-9.
- Changing Moses’ staff to a snake and then reversing it
- Creating, and then restoring, leprosy to Moses’ hand
- Turning water from the Nile into blood as it was poured on the ground
To appease Moses, God offered signs. However, we soon will discover that even signs did not stop Moses’ excuses. We will learn that it wasn’t the signs with which God wanted to motivate Moses; it was faith.
Fear is often used by Satan to block us from serving the Lord in our chosen path. The fear of acceptance, of being ridiculed for our faith, or maybe even being persecuted may loom before us as a large wall extremely difficult to climb.
Yet we need to be reminded of 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 – For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Faith and trust provided by the Great I AM should have been enough for Moses, and it can be enough for us. Step forward in faith as you receive His strength at the most unexpected times. What is the greatest challenge that lays before you today? How can you face it more courageously?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, give me the faith to believe that You are enough to cover me through all my challenges in life! Your strength and courage will be mine. Amen.
