Daily Devotion for September 13, 2006

Spoken of God

 

"Moses said to the Lord, ‘O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.' The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.'" Exodus 4:10-11

 

Being used by God requires allowing Him to use us. God uses people in many different ways. Some appear to be great, like God's use of Moses to speak for Israel and God to Pharaoh, and subsequently lead them out of Egypt. Others seem much smaller, like speaking a kind word or gentle instruction to a friend in need. While they may seem smaller, however, they are just as important. Every person is important to God, and reaching every person - touching every person for God - is fulfilling His vision for the world and His people.

 

 Moses was concerned about taking on this task for God - he wanted God to find another recruit. Sometimes I feel like Moses, and it isn't the leading people out of Egypt part of his story. Moses had some great excuses. Israel probably hadn't heard directly from God in the 430 years they were in Egypt, so who was this Egyptian prince to tell them God was appearing to him and speaking to him with instructions for an apparent insurrection?

 

In my version, who am I to interfere with some else's spiritual life? What do I know, anyway? It takes a great leap of faith for me to acknowledge that God can speak through me. When I speak, it is not with any authority on my part, but with and from the power of the living God. Moses also claimed to be slow of tongue, although Stephen took issue with that claim much later. This is another excuse that fits well with me. As God told Moses, however, He gave me my mouth, and He can use it as He sees need to. Christ gave His apostles the same message, comforting them that they would not need to fumble for their own words, but that the Spirit would speak through them. Where I need to focus is in letting God use me every day, to recognize where His word is needed, and to speak for Him.

 

Prayer
Lord God, give me a humble heart that I might bend before you, and allow you to use me. Grant me the wisdom to recognize when you are trying to use me, and the courage to set aside my excuses and let you work through me.  In your precious name, Amen

 

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