Moses

By Guest Writer

Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:1-22, Exodus 13:17-22, Exodus 19:1-6, Exodus 33:7-23

We recently moved our family to a different state and shook up pretty much every aspect of our lives in the process. At first, the thought of moving somewhere new seemed exciting and exhilarating. Then it seemed exhausting and overwhelming. Then, when you’re sitting in an unfamiliar house surrounded by boxes, dirty laundry, a broken toilet (don’t even ask), and two grumpy kids, you start to ask yourself, “What in the world have we done?”

Reading about Moses’s experience walking with God in Exodus, I can’t help but wonder if, at some points in his journey, he felt the same.

After running away from his crimes in Egypt, God grabbed Moses’s attention and called him back to free His people in the most unexpected way—a flaming bush! (Exodus 3:2–3) But once Moses went, it took ten different miracles for Pharaoh to release them. Then, instead of taking the short, easy way to the promised land, Moses and the newly established people of God wandered in the desert for forty long years.

There were times of waiting, making mistakes, and seeking God for guidance. But the Lord gave Moses a promise that He would lead them, and Moses trusted God to keep it.

He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I am the one who sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.”
—Exodus 3:12

Now I certainly wouldn’t compare moving across state lines with a few cranky kids to leading God’s people out of slavery and into the Promise Land. But I do think that I sense a little bit of what Moses may have felt—that desperate need that he had for God’s presence, for His wisdom, and for Him to show His face in the midst of less-than-ideal situations.

For Moses and the Israelites, at first that guidance looked like a cloud and a fire in the sky (Exodus 13:22), and then later an angel prepared the way for God’s people (Exodus 33:2). And when Moses cried out to the Lord for wisdom and direction, God promised, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (v.14).

I can only imagine that there was some major imposter syndrome and overwhelm that came along with the big task that God had called Moses to. But in revealing His presence to Moses, God reminded Moses that His presence and wisdom were all they needed to keep going.

The fullness of God’s presence is so incredible, so awe-inspiring, that our minds can’t even fully comprehend or understand it. But we can trust it. So in the middle of big moves, big mistakes, and big decisions, we have an even bigger God—the God of Moses, who is ever present to give us His wisdom and guide our path.

Written by Abby Flynn