Exodus 3 reports the first encounter between Moses and God, in which God did most of the talking — telling Moses that he wanted him to go back to Egypt and bring the Israelites out so that they could be free to worship him. Exodus 4 reports the follow-up conversation, in which Moses presented a series of objections to God’s plan (and God’s refutation of each objection).

First of all, Moses was skeptical: “They will not believe me” (Exodus 4:1). Can you identify with that feeling? I can! I can barely imagine the sheer terror that I would feel if I were called upon to march up to someone (especially someone as powerful as Pharaoh was!) and say, “Hi! My name is John, and God told me to tell you that this is what he wants you to do.” I would be like Moses: I would think of a million reasons to say “No!” to a calling like that.

Come to think of it, though, isn’t that exactly what God has, in fact, called each of us to do? “Ye shall be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8) — doesn’t that mean telling people what God has done in our own lives, and what he can do in theirs, and what he wants them to do so that he can? 

God, please help us not to be skeptical when you call on us to carry your message! People need to hear it; and, if you should choose to use us to bring it to them, who are we to object to your plan?

John H. Roller, Hickory, N.C.     

Extended Scripture: Exodus 3–4, KJV