Does there come a time when making excuses becomes sin in our lives? I've never thought to ask this question before until reading about the story of Moses' calling from God found in Exodus 3 and then his laundry list of questions that he comes up with. In response to every question, God reassured Moses with words that he should say and showed him signs that God would perform through him.
Even after giving Moses the words he would speak and showing him the signs God would perform through him, Moses still delays in accepting the call of God on his life and throws out an excuse that focuses on his lack of ability with speaking in Exodus 4 verse 10...
Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
Moses couldn't {or wouldn't} look past his own shortcomings and trust in God's ability to work through Him. Sound familiar?? Yes, I know...it does to me too.
Laurie, host a Bible study in your home. But, Lord, my house is too small.
Laurie, pray for her. But, Lord, she really hurt me.
Laurie, teach that Sunday School class. But, Lord, I didn't go to Bible college.
Making excuses can lead to sin if we disobey what God is calling us to do. James 4:17 says:
"If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them."
When we put our own lack of sufficiency above the abilities of God that is really unbelief in who God says He is and what He can do through us. We must not let our lack of self-confidence lead us to a lack of confidence in God and in what He can do through us. With God, nothing will be impossible! No matter if our inadequacies are real or not, God is sufficient for us and we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13). I hope you'll take comfort in that and receive the courage to do what God is calling you to do.
**Here are my S.O.A.K.s for Exodus 4 and 5:
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Exodus 4
2 So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.”
17And you
shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall
do the signs.
Observations: God used what Moses
had in his hand. He used the rod of Moses to perform the signs against the
Pharaoh of Egypt and to part the Red Sea for the Israelites' deliverance out of Egypt. Moses had used that rod for 40 years as he tended the sheep
of his father-in-law Jethro. Now God was going to use Moses’ rod for His glory
in the deliverance of the Israelites and it would become known as the “rod of
God”.
Application: God can use anything
in our lives for His glory. Even the broken pieces of our lives are not useless
in His mighty hands. What is it in my life that God wants to use for His
purpose and His glory?
Kneel: Heavenly Father, thank You
for this reminder that anything in my life can be used for Your glory. I pray
that I would not let fear drive me to making excuses for surrendering to Your
will for my life. You’ve called us all to go and make disciples of all nations
and to spread the good news of forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. Help
me to be faithful and obedient in this part of the world that You have placed
me in. Help me to look for opportunities to share my faith and to use whatever
You have given me for Your glory. Help me to remember that nothing is useless
in Your mighty hands Father. Here I am…please use me. In the life-changing name
of Jesus I pray. Amen!
Friday, January 9, 2015
Exodus 5
22 So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.”
Observations: Instead of the Israelites crying out to God, they ran to Pharaoh to try to find relief and received no help. Moses went to God with his questions. God doesn’t always move in situations the way we think he should – we expect Him to move on our timetable and He never will because we would miss opportunities for our own spiritual growth and to see His character as He works on our behalf.
Moses and the Israelites were experiencing a crisis of faith. They had been given a promise by God and now things seemed to be going in the wrong direction. But everything was actually going according to God’s plan so that His power would be seen in the events that were about to unfold.
Application: We live in a world that desires instant results. That’s not how God works. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that God desires to develop in every believer’s life. What am I waiting on God for? How am I waiting? Do I blame God when things don’t happen as fast as I would like them to or when the process becomes uncomfortable and difficult? I have gone to God with desperate questions in the valleys of my life. I’ve even been angry about some of the situations God has asked me to walk through…especially when it involved those I dearly love. I think it’s okay if we wrestle through our feelings with God. It’s a healthy way to allow God to speak His truth into our hearts when we go to Him with whatever it is we are struggling with. Otherwise a root of bitterness against God can begin to take up residence in our hearts that can lead to sin.
Kneel: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your timing. It is truly perfect because even when it seems nothing is happening or even worse when everything seems to be going against me, You are working all things together for my good. You are developing the fruit of the Spirit in my life and You are showing me more of who You are as I see Your hand move on my behalf. These are good things. Help me to hold on to these truths as I walk through the valleys of this life with You by my side. Help me to understand how much You love me even when things aren’t going as quickly as I would like for them to happen. Help me to be honest with You concerning my feelings so that no root of bitterness against You creeps into my heart. I pray and ask this all in the faithful name of Jesus. Amen!
Here is our reading plan for next week:
Did you notice to color system I'm using now in my Scriptures? Courtney Joseph of Women Living Well, home of Good Morning Girls developed this coloring system for us to use as we continue our journey of Reading Through the Bible. You can download her Bible Coloring Chart for free on her blog. You'll also find free eWorkbooks for the book of Exodus in the same blog post that you can download and print to use if you would like.
I'll see you back here on Monday! Until then, seek to live life's moments in the power of God's grace!
Walking in His Grace,
Laurie
I'm so excited to be Blogging Through the Bible with Courtney Joseph of Women Living Well, home of Good Morning Girls. Please click on the image below to read more Blogging Through the Bible posts from Courtney and others.
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