Exodus 3:10-12
“‘So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.’ But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ And God said, ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.'”
I never cease to be amazed at the rich truth which is to be found in the word of God. I sit down to write one thought, and as I read the Scripture, something quite unexpected explodes. I have read this passage many times, but today something unexpected struck me; “And this will be the sign to you that it is I who sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”
Picture Moses standing in front of a burning bush, far out in the desert. It was more than a burning bush; he was standing in the presence of the Lord. Moses is receiving the instructions about his mission in life. Nothing much—he is merely to go back to Egypt (from which he had fled for killing an Egyptian), and tell the man on the throne, Pharaoh, that he is to release over two million of his slaves. RIGHT!
God’s call is seldom easy, nor does He expect us to fully understand it. Obedience and trust in Him are all that matters. Stop and think about what Moses had going for him: He stuttered, he was a man who had killed an Egyptian task-master some forty years earlier, he had been isolated from society for forty years as he tended sheep in the desert and as if that were not enough of a handicap—he was eighty years old. Were these valid excuses? Not when it is God who is calling someone to work for Him.
Several years ago there was a delightful article in one of the area newspapers. It told of a second grade student who was challenged by his teacher in a Christian school. She had been teaching a lesson on giving and had emphasized that it means doing with what you have. To make it more meaningful, the teacher gave each student two envelopes. One envelope had the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14-30. The other envelope contained $6.00 that had been given by anonymous donors who wanted each student to use it in a meaningful way to help others.
The second grade students were wonderfully creative in the causes to which they gave their $6.00, but one student, Austin, wanted to help homeless children. He wanted to fill their stomachs with food and their hearts with God’s Word. He made a list: picture books, children’s Bibles and books, bread, cheese, ham, juice – all manner of special treats for those in need.
He went to book stores with his $6.00 and as he told the clerks of his mission, they donated the books and told him to keep the money. He soon had a large bag of books. He went to a grocery market and talked with the manager who took him on a “special shopping spree.” Again he was told to keep his $6.00.
He arrived at the offices of an organization which cares for homeless families. With his bags of books and food, plus his $6.00, it might seem that his task was over. Not so! The director asked Austin if he would like to meet some of the children who would receive the things he had brought for them? He was able to not only meet them, but began to read stories from the books and Bibles which he had delivered. His mother now takes him there each week to read to the children. Only eight and only $6.00! And we make excuses as to why we are not able to serve the Lord?!
God gave Moses a sign to authenticate that it was really God who was sending him. No, it was not the miraculous plagues that Moses called down. It was not the power of his fearless presence before Pharaoh, or the miracles of leading the Israelites across the Red Sea, calling upon God to provide food and water for that mass of people—all of these were spectacular events, but it was not the sign that God was the One who sent him.
The sign was that Moses would return to this very mountain and worship God. We are so guilty of chasing after the signs and wonders, and forget that God’s purpose is to bow humbly before Him and acknowledge that He is Lord. Not our will, but His will be done!
My prayer is that we, like that little eight-year-old boy, will continue to serve the Lord and give of ourselves fully to do the things He calls us to do. But even much more—that we will worship the Lord.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com.
P.P.S. – I have completed my first book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping. You can now order it online by going to https://dailyevotional.com/prior2020/book-by-pastor-cecil . . . You may want to consider this book as a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access or as helpful sermon illustrations for your Pastor.
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