DEVOTION – DAY 428

Exodus 4:10-13 “Making Excuses”

Exodus 4:10-13 “Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

God appeared to Moses and instructed him to gather the Israelites together. Moses was to seek from the Pharaoh for their release from slavery so that they could worship God in the wilderness in Exodus 3:16-22. God then confirmed Moses’ appointment by empowering him with special signs, so that the Pharaoh knew that Moses was sent by God Himself in Exodus 4:1-9. Moses responded to God by making excuses. He said he had never been eloquent. But God reminded Moses that He, the All-powerful God, has the power to give anyone speech, sight and hearing. Moses did not need to worry about being ineloquent. God declared that Moses was to be His mouthpiece and God would tell him what to say. Despite such assurances, Moses continued to ask God to send someone else.

Moses’ response is often repeated by people when they are called by God to do something for Him. Many would respond by making excuses and telling God why they were unsuitable for the task. Many would ask God to send someone else. Many people assume that they are only able to serve the Lord in areas where they have an expertise or areas within their comfort zone. Many do not realize that it is when they serve in areas outside their comfort zone that they will discover God’s special enablement and empowerment for them. In so doing, God gets the glory. 

A woman was asked to teach the Bible to children in Sunday School. She did not have any experience in teaching children. Her initial reaction was to tell her church to look for someone else. But she was spiritually mature and she knew she ought to pray about this request to serve. She encountered passages like Exodus 3-4 that reminded her to trust on God’s provision and equipping for her. In the end, she agreed to teach in Sunday School. Each week, as she prepared her Bible lessons for the children, God gave her simple ideas and thoughts on how to get the message across to children. She was glad that she did not allow her own insecurities that could have led her to miss the opportunity to serve God when she was called to do so.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you for you are the Lord God Almighty. Nothing is too difficult for you. Please forgive us for the times when we procrastinate in serving you and when we make weak excuses. Please help us to trust in your equipping of us to serve you always. We humbly pray, in the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. Why do people make excuses not to serve the Lord when they see a need, or when they are asked?
  2. What about you? What excuses do you make, or have made when you were asked to serve the Lord in a new area?
  3. How have the Lord enabled you to serve Him when He has called you in the past?
  4. How does this encourage you to serve Him in the future?