Gentle Reminders
Trusting in the Lord, Who is Always With You
As believers in Jesus Christ, we are meant to have faith. It’s our identity, for ‘faith’ is the noun, and ‘believe’ is the verb. We are creatures of faith, because we live our lives believing in, trusting in God’s Word. We have received salvation through the blood of Christ alone–through His death and resurrection.
So why is trusting God so difficult at times?
We can see a lack of faith in Moses when God first sends him to Pharaoh. God shows up to Moses as a burning bush…A burning bush, ya’ll! And Moses still struggles to fully trust Him. How do we, and how did Moses, show a lack of faith? There are three main ways:
- By using “What if” statements when God leads us to do something that will glorify Him. In Exodus 4:1, Moses says, “What if they do not believe me…” God had previously told Moses to tell the Israelites and the Egyptians that God had sent him to rescue God’s chosen people. God even said, “I will be with you” (Ex. 3:12). But Moses focuses on the outer circumstance, not on God’s promise.
- By dwelling on our weaknesses rather than the strength and provision of God. Moses tells God, “I have never been eloquent…” (4:10). Moses has the audacity to tell the Creator he wasn’t given an ability he needs in order to get the job done. This reveals a dependency on self rather than in the One who is faithful to equip the called (I Thess. 5:24). …And I am SO guilty of being just like Moses!!!
- By, quite literally, telling God no to something He has commanded us to do. This verse I’m about to mention makes me laugh. Moses tells God, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it” (Ex. 4:13). While this is not a blatant ‘no’, it might as well be. Just think. You’re a kid, and your dad has asked you to clean your room. It’s not really a request, but you say, “What if it takes too long and I don’t have time to play my video game?” That doesn’t fly, so your second response is, “I’m just really not good at keeping things organized, so what’s the point?” And now your dad’s about ready to explode. So, you smile sweetly, and in the most polite way possible, you say, “No, thank you.” Moses says, “Please send someone else”…the equivalent of, “No, thank you.” POP! The steam is fuming from your dad’s head, and at this moment, God’s anger burns against Moses (vs. 14).
To recap: A lack of faith stems from dwelling on circumstances, from a dependency on self rather than on God, and from a lack of willingness to surrender to God’s call.
But here’s the gentle reminder: God is merciful to us, despite our struggle to trust Him fully at times. All God needed to have said to Moses was: “I will be with you.” Moses should have immediately and without question obeyed God’s command to “go” (3:9). But God gave Moses three physical signs of His presence to show Pharaoh and the Israelites. When Moses complained about not being eloquent, God provided Moses with his brother Aaron, who was eloquent and would be of great help to Moses. And when Moses politely told God, “No, thank you,” God didn’t strike Moses to the ground in fury (Moses and I have both deserved that a lot more than once, that’s for sure!).
Time and time again, God is faithful, even when we are torn between diving in with faith and obedience or crumbling underneath our doubt and complaints.
“I am with you.” Let that still, small Voice rise to the surface until it becomes a shout, a song. Let it outshine Satan’s lies. You’re not good enough to do what God has called you to do, but God is! He is the I AM, a name that wraps up the entirety of who He is…holy, sovereign, all-powerful, the peace that surpasses all understanding, Living Water, and so much more…That name ‘I AM’ was revealed for the first time in Exodus 3.
“I am with you.” Let’s God’s promise overpower the circumstance you are facing. As Moses discovered, when he obeyed, things got worse before they got better, but God was at work fulfilling His promise to rescue His people the entire time, just as He said He would. God will allow us to walk through the waters and through fire to strengthen our faith, so that the next time God says, “Go,” we will say with more confidence, “Yes, Lord.”
Oh Father, continue to strengthen my faith in You. The road is not always smooth, but You are with me. You are with me, and that is enough…For You are enough!
Up Next: BEING REMINDED OF GOD’S TRUTH
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