By Guest Writer
There was an older gentleman in my hometown that took me under his wing when I was in middle school. He gave me my first motorcycle ride, taught me the importance of a firm handshake, and explained how to smooth talk your way out of a tight spot.
One summer he hired me to work for him and dubbed me his “official representative.” It wasn’t as fancy as it sounds. My work usually consisted of trips to the hardware store for more nails and calling customers to tell them their order was ready (or not). I was essentially a glorified errand boy.
Whenever I was acting on his behalf, he’d always say, “Remember, if anyone gives you trouble, tell ‘em Larry sent you.” Larry knew that no one would listen to me, and so when I spoke, he wanted everyone to know they weren’t listening to me—they were listening to Larry through me. That made all the difference.
When angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in the burning bush, something very similar was happening—only far more important. In fear for his life, Moses fled to Midian from his home in Egypt after killing an Egyptian taskmaster. He made a nice life for himself there. He married and settled down, and soon Egypt became a distant memory.
But then, after years of living the inconspicuous life of a shepherd, Moses was thrust into the very center stage of redemptive history.
Trembling, he slipped off his sandals and rested his bare feet on the holy ground as God introduced Himself. Moses could hardly believe his ears when God called him to lead Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land. Feeling completely unqualified for the job, Moses questioned God. Why me? What am I to say? Who am I to say sent me?
Patiently, God responded, “Just tell them ‘I am’ sent you” (Exodus 3:14).
The truth is, God knew Moses wasn’t qualified for the job. He also knew that Pharaoh wouldn’t listen to the voice of Moses. But that’s okay, because Moses wasn’t acting on his own behalf. God was speaking and acting through Moses, and in the end, that made all the difference.
We may not be hearing God’s voice from the midst of a burning bush, or leading a nation of captives to freedom, but each day we live and move as representatives of God in the world. It is an act of faith to do what the Lord has called us to do without relying upon human confidence and credentials, but to instead remember that your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).
Let His strength be perfected in your weakness today (2 Corinthians 12:9). In the name of the Lord, answer God’s call on your life, and as you do, trust God to do the heavy lifting. That’s what He did for Moses. He will for you, too.
Written By Nate Shurden
48 thoughts on "Moses and the Burning Bush"
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Tyler says:
Often when God interiors our lives and asks something we tend to do what Moses did. But God made us, yes he still working on us but he chose us for a reason. We need to believe in Gods strength to make you what you need to be.
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I will listen to what God says about me over what myself, others, or the devil might say differently. I will no longer believe in the lie. I am qualified!
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He reveals himself in the ordinary moments in our lives by getting the attention of his servants. He will not only call you to service but equip you to serve.
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Josh Woods says:
He calls us to display Himself glorious through us. He means for the mark on our lives to be that He is with us.
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I will stop trying to speak to impress or prove myself. Instead, I will seek God’s presence, and I will allow Him to be the One who marks me most.
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God’s invitation to join Him in His creative, redemptive work is not about our skill sets–it’s about His presence. He has freely given us of Himself through the crops and by His Spirit within us. We can live out Redemption!
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Humans like to be self-sufficient. We can’t do what God calls us to do without Him.
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Lord,
Please help me to think and believe and live that Your presence is all I need.
Amen. -
Russell Phillips says:
Be more courageous to answer the call. My responsibility is in obedience, not in creating or leading the mission.
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We, like Moses, are called to be the human representatives of the Living God. That means we have a huge responsibility to live lives that exemplify God’s values. Luckily, our imperfections are covered by God’s strength, and our mess ups serve to highlight his perfection.
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God allows us to be his representatives in this world. He’s faithful to us, even though we screw up and often misrepresent him. His patience with us is unfounded.
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Just like the God-man relationship, the perfection of the gospel shines through our sin. However, we are called to be responsible to the call, and faithful to the mission. It’s not our initiative to spread the Gospel, but we act on the call of the One who sent us. Therefore, we needn’t be afraid to act, as we are simply doing the will of another.
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For boldness. That I would represent Him well, and not think about my own reputation.
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Ryan Miller says:
We are totally incapable of any job God has for us, yet he chooses to use us anyway!
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I will walk by faith as an ambassador of God realizing in every situation I find myself in that “I speak for God”
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The gospel calls us out of a mediocre life and makes us God’s ambassadors!
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God remembers His promises and keeps them. I like the fact that when Israel called out to God, He heard them and remembered His promise to the people of Israel. We can pray God’s promises back to Him and trust that he will be faithful to fulfill them!
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Rickyleemay says:
He’s in charge and he sent us.
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I’m just the errand boy that got invited along to be a part of Gods work
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His yoke is easy and his burden is light = go where God says to and trust Him to do the heavy lifting
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