Over the last few days, the story of Moses (the book of Exodus) has been popping up a lot for me. So I decided to do the sensible thing and read up about him again. While thinking about this blog post, Gideon (Judges 6-8) also came to mind. Although these two characters seem unrelated, they had something in common – a crisis of identity. God had destined them for great and mighty things and they were like:
I love how the bible never shys away from the humanity of the people it talks about. We can learn so much and avoid so much if we study them. But I digress…
God had graciously laid out what He, through Moses, was to achieve. He gave Moses signs, answered Moses’ questions and after Moses had exhausted all of his excuses, he was just like ‘yeah can you pick somebody else please Lord?’ We can laugh or say, ‘wow, how could He?’ but I know I have been guilty of this unbelief because I could not yet see that I was capable, my perspective was on me and not God. But then I guess that’s the point. In our own strength we are not capable but God – through us – can do anything. Moses told God (as if He was unaware) that he was ‘slow of speech’ and had never been eloquent, God told him to go anyway, He would give him the words to say. This alone would have been a testament that God’s power was at work, if people who had known Moses to be ‘slow of speech’ and lacking eloquence, heard Him speak, they may have been encouraged that truly God was with them.
Gideon was met by the Angel of the Lord who greeted him as God saw Him, a ‘mighty man of valour!’ What greater confirmation did he need right? Wrong. Because Gideon, much like Moses, did not see himself how God did, even this great greeting was not enough. What are the areas of your life that God is calling you a mighty man or woman and you’re saying “pick somebody else please” or “surely you’re not talking about me?”
Many times in my life, God has told me to do things and I haven’t because I didn’t think I was capable or I was stalling for one reason or another. Do you know what happened every single time? I’d see someone else do it shortly after – the pain! But it’s one thing to feel the pain and another thing to repent right? Thank God for mercy!
Not believing in the power of God through you, will delay your going forth and the world needs you. Destinies are tied to our obedience and we will answer for every disobedience. The world is full of self affirmations, self love, believe in yourself and so on but my charge to you and I is: get to know yourself through God’s eyes. Search the word, what has God said about you?
Why is this important? Well, because those assured of their God given identities can stand boldly and not be tossed to and fro. They can tackle what seems impossible because they know they aren’t in it alone.
The bible tells us to let our light shine so that men may see our good deeds and give glory to God (Matthew 5:16). Our skills/gifts are a way for us to point to Jesus. If He gives you an instruction – obey. It’s really not about you, He already knows what you’re capable of. In the stories of Moses and Gideon, God did not start off by listing all the their weaknesses. God went straight to what He knew could be achieved if only they’d partner with Him.
I’ve had many who? me? moments in my life and I’m sure you have too. If Moses and Gideon are anything to go by, there is greatness on the other side of that initial doubt or fear. Only if you work it out with God. We see Moses speaking and operating boldly, delivering his people, being a friend of God. We see Gideon commanding an army and being victorious, showing us that God can do much even with small steps of faith.
Just as they did, we too must go with God. That is the encouragement I hope to leave you with today. May we move from ‘who? me?’ to ‘yes, that’s me’ or even ‘I’m a little afraid but God said so let’s go!’
Amen.
Until next time x