Moses' Calling

Moses’ Calling

(Exodus 3:1-4:17)

Yearly Theme:  “Patience is…”

Series Title:  “Divine Patience (Part 2)”

February 27^th, 2022

Something to think about:

Have you ever doubted yourself?  I mean have you really questioned whether or not you were up to a specific task or responsibility?  Have you ever felt underqualified and in over your head?

According to clinical psychologist, Nick Wignall, “Self-doubt is the mental habit of questioning your own judgment or worth.”[1]

Today we come to the story of a man who was, according to the world’s standards, pretty inadequate.  In his early days, he started off with a silver spoon in his mouth with power and authority at his fingertips, as a prince in the royal court of Pharaoh.  But after running away at the age of forty due to breaking the law by murdering someone the past 40-years of his life was spent as a traveling nomad in the wilderness tending his father-in-law’s livestock.  It was there in the wilderness, minding his own business in the boring wasteland of the mountainous terrain, that Moses would experience GOD face to face.  And it’s in that place that GOD would beckon Moses into the calling of his life.  However, self-doubt, discouragement, and, in some ways, sheer stubbornness would pervade Moses’ conversation with GOD.  Let’s take a closer look this morning…

Turn in your Bibles to:  Exodus 3:1–4:17

Here’s the takeaway this morning:

Key Point:  “GOD is patient with us even when we doubt ourselves.”

Like last week, what can we learn about the effects of deceit from this passage today?...

• “ ” vs. “ ”

Exodus 3:4, 10-11 (NLT), ⁴ When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses!  Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied.  … 

… ¹⁰ Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh.  You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”   ¹¹ But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh?  Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”

Exodus 3:5-6 (NLT), ⁵ “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned.  “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.  ⁶ I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.

• “ ” vs. “ ”

Exodus 3:10-11, 13 (NLT), ¹⁰ Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh.  You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”   ¹¹ But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh?  Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” …

… ¹³ But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”

• “ but me!”

Exodus 4:12-13 (NLT), ¹² Now go!  I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”  ¹³ But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please!  Send anyone else.”

Something to take home:

Overcoming self-doubt is more than a psychological problem, it’s also a spiritual problem as well.  In the case of Moses’ calling, self-doubt was rooted in past mistakes and sin, not understanding who he really was, and also in running away from his problems.  But GOD met him where he was, there in the wilderness of Midian (and also in the wilderness of his own doubt), and called him to a life-changing mission.  It wasn’t until Moses (even though reluctantly) accepted the call that GOD was able to change his life for the better.

Sure, you may not feel equipped, or up to the task that GOD is calling you, but take heart, you’re exactly what GOD is looking for.  To overcome self-doubt, you need to take the first step in obedience to GOD.  And here’s a promise that you can rely on…

Key Point:  “GOD is patient with us even when we doubt ourselves.”

[1]  Nick Wignall.  “10 Ways to Free Yourself from Self-Doubt.” December 21, 2021.  Date accessed:  January 12, 2022.  https://nickwignall.com/self-doubt/.