Exodus_4
Scripture
Exodus 4:3-4-
3 The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand.
Observation-What does it say?
God chooses Moses to go to Pharaoh and command that he let his people, the Israelites, free. He is introduced to one of the tools God has given him to complete this mission, his staff. Moses has to face his biggest fears and does it by trusting, relying on and obeying the One who is giving him his commands.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Understanding-What does it mean?
The power was not in the tool God gave him. It wasn’t in the staff. The power came through Moses’ faith and willingness to obey God’s commands to him.
God gives us all the tools we need to complete our mission of multiplying Christ followers everywhere. He gives us His Word, His Holy Spirit, the ability to pray to Him whenever we want, awesome Pastors and leaders in the faith to guide and shepherd us, our church family and individual passions, gifts and talents to use for Him within the church body. But, all this means nothing if it is not combined with faith. None of these tools can be utilized or put to use without faith. It is faith in Jesus Christ which allows us to do great things for the Kingdom.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:22-23 NIV
Also, Faith is not the absence of fear. Moses’ story proves that he was fearful every step of the way. Take for example the first sign, where God turned his staff into a snake. Moses ran away from the snake, but God told him to reach out his hand and take it by the tail. That required Moses to move toward the snake, even though he was scared, and be close enough to grab its tail. He did it despite his fear because He trusted and obeyed the One who was giving him that command. Moses trusted that the God of the impossible was able to do the impossible through him.
Life Application
God gives us all the tools we need to complete our mission of multiplying Christ followers everywhere. He gives us His Word, His Holy Spirit, the ability to pray to Him whenever we want, awesome Pastors and leaders in the faith to guide and shepherd us, our church family and individual passions, gifts and talents to use for Him within the church body. But, all this means nothing if it is not combined with faith. None of these tools can be utilized or put to use without faith. It is faith in Jesus Christ which allows us to do great things for the Kingdom.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:22-23 NIV
Also, Faith is not the absence of fear. Moses’ story proves that he was fearful every step of the way. Take for example the first sign, where God turned his staff into a snake. Moses ran away from the snake, but God told him to reach out his hand and take it by the tail. That required Moses to move toward the snake, even though he was scared, and be close enough to grab its tail. He did it despite his fear because He trusted and obeyed the One who was giving him that command. Moses trusted that the God of the impossible was able to do the impossible through him.
Life Application
The God of the impossible is able to do impossible things through us, but we must have faith. Many times, we will have to face our greatest fears in order to complete the mission.
Jesus is a great example of this. Even though He was God in the flesh, he still feared his upcoming death as evident through Him sweating blood in the Garden and requesting that the cup be taken from Him. However, Christ was focused on the mission because He loved us and desired to do His father’s will, despite his feelings and fears. Because He didn’t quit, we get to enjoy the benefits of unhindered relationship with Him.
Don’t allow fear to stop you from completing the mission. Fear keeps us humble and dependent on the One who works through us, so that only He receives the glory, not us. As we push through the fear of whatever God is calling us to do, great things happen. As we have faith in Him more than our fears and hesitations, we are able to accomplish awesome things for His Kingdom.
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Dear God, I pray that we are able to push through any fear that may keep us from doing Your will. I pray that You would deposit greater faith in us to override any hesitations to accomplish the mission You’ve set before us. We seek to obey Your will over our own. Thank you for choosing to partner with us to accomplish Your mission although You could easily do it Yourself. Thank You for Your patience and love as we are everyday molded into Your image. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Jesus is a great example of this. Even though He was God in the flesh, he still feared his upcoming death as evident through Him sweating blood in the Garden and requesting that the cup be taken from Him. However, Christ was focused on the mission because He loved us and desired to do His father’s will, despite his feelings and fears. Because He didn’t quit, we get to enjoy the benefits of unhindered relationship with Him.
Don’t allow fear to stop you from completing the mission. Fear keeps us humble and dependent on the One who works through us, so that only He receives the glory, not us. As we push through the fear of whatever God is calling us to do, great things happen. As we have faith in Him more than our fears and hesitations, we are able to accomplish awesome things for His Kingdom.
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Dear God, I pray that we are able to push through any fear that may keep us from doing Your will. I pray that You would deposit greater faith in us to override any hesitations to accomplish the mission You’ve set before us. We seek to obey Your will over our own. Thank you for choosing to partner with us to accomplish Your mission although You could easily do it Yourself. Thank You for Your patience and love as we are everyday molded into Your image. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
To check out the discussion or to join in, click here.
-Michelle Gaddi