Lord | The Wildberry Patch

Yesterday’s readings were in Exodus. Exodus 1- 15.

Ex 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

The background is that God chose this man before he was born (Ps 139:13-16) as He does all of us.

Jer 1:4-5 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Moses is a type of Christ.

Born in troubling times.
Had to be hidden from those that would kill him
Taken to a pagan culture to grow
Jesus jumped the gun when he was 12
Moses jumped the gun when he killed the Egyptian
When revealed, his country turned on him.
Jesus spent 30 years in obscurity.
Moses spent 40 years on the other side of the mountain.
Moses delivered his people from the slavery of Pharoah
Jesus delivered His people from the slavery and penalty of sin
Moses was prophesied by Jacob and Joseph
Jesus was prophesied by, well, the Old Testament!
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

But Moses doubted his calling, even with a burning bush, heavenly voices, and all that. He told God he couldn’t do it.

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I [am] not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I [am] slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. (Ex 4:10)

Likewise, Jeremiah, after hearing God’s words, said:

Jer 1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child.

Even Jesus questioned before His ministry started. When Jesus was told to turn water into wine for a family wedding, he turned and told His mother “it’s not my time yet.”( John 2:4)

Other examples:

We have Jonah, and
Abraham and Sarah,
Peter,
Hosea,

and so many others that didn’t feel like they were up to the job. Even Jesus struggled with His ultimate calling:

Mark 14:34 – 42 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

AND THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE:

And he said, Abba, Father, all things [are] possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Each of us feels weak to do what God has called us. Isn’t it interesting that we can think we are good at something, but that may not be what God has called us to do? Or what God has called us to do, we don’t feel good enough to do it?

In response to our questions, our doubts, our fears God says:

Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Ex 4:11

And then, he lets us know that He is not going to leave us alone:

Ex 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

Jer 1:7-8 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Even Jesus was encouraged by His Father before going to the cross on the Mount of Transfiguration:

Matt 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Whatever God is asking us to do, He had a plan before we were born for us to perform it.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Whatever skills God is asking us to use, He created them within us, when he hand made our mouth, eyes, ears, hands and whatever else we may consider a liability. These are marks of GOD’s ownership of us…these are what make us special. And our weakness, disabilities, handicaps, whatever, give Him the greater glory when His works are done.

1 Cor 12:9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

If we could do it in our own strength – what glory is there for God? The greater glory, is when we give it all to the Lord, rest in Him, and just go with the flow.

1 Tim 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Moses delivered a lot of people…because he walked with God. Moses talked with God. Along life’s narrow way. And now he knows that:

He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart…..

You ask me how I know He lives,

He lives within my heart!

Here’s another:

Because He lives – by ignighter

And that is the point…If Jesus lives within our hearts, then we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us! (Phil 4:13)

And, we are called to be the light of the world.

Moses brought the children of Israel out of the darkness of Egypt.

Jesus brought the children of God out of the darkness of sin.

We are to give light in the darkness to call others to Him.

Shine your lights! Polish those lenses! Make white your robes, for your redemption draws nigh! Thanks for joining me on my journey.

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi