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"But What if They Don't Believe Me?"

This morning I was reading the story of Moses.  Moses became a tremendous person that was used by God in a tremendous way.  When I think of Moses, I think of the Ten Commandments, him parting the Red Sea and saving the Israelites, and honestly I think about that Disney cartoon from years back.  What I don't think about though is the doubt that Moses had in the beginning of his transformation.  Please don't confuse transformation.  Transforming is entirely an internal change that is directed from inside.  Conforming on the other hand is a forced change due to external pressures.

I'm not going to dive into transforming vs. conforming today as that could take a long time, but what I want to dive into is relating to Moses in the beginning of his transformation.

In Exodus 3:10, God says to Moses: "So no, go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt"  God then goes on to tell Moses his mission and what God wants him to do. Moses answered God with three questions:

1. "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

2.  "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, "The God of your fathers has sent me to you" and they ask me, "What is his name?" Then what shall I tell them?"

3.  "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, "The Lord did not appear to you"

All of these questions are in Exodus 3:10-22.  Does this sound familiar?  Does the reluctance to do what God is telling Moses feel relatable to something that God has placed on your heart?  I find it so powerful knowing that a person who was used by God so much still started with questions.  What are you questioning right now?  What are the plans that God has put on your heart that you are timid or thinking about outcomes?

Questions are a wonderful tool that God can use to bring you closer to Him.  We are not made to understand the workings of God.  We are not made to know that the actual dynamics of certain happenings.  Look at Moses for example:  He was supposed to be killed at birth, yet somehow he was granted mercy.....by the same ruling power that created the rule to kill firstborn boys in the first place!

God answered Moses in three simple ways:

1.  "I will be with you"

2.  "I am who I am"

3.  "What is in your hand?"

This is so great and so simple!  God said he would be with Moses.  The creator of the universe is with you, you cannot lose!  Then God says "I am who I am."  God doesn't have to impress anyone or have any doubt, He is the creator of all things, He is who He is.  He doesn't budge off His line in the sand.  Then He gives Moses a few signs.  He asks him "What is in your hand?"  Moses replies "A staff."  God then told Moses to throw it on the ground, and it became a snake.  God then told Moses to pick it up by the tail, and it became a staff again."  What does this tell us about God?  This tells me that God will answer your doubts, He will answer your reluctance, and He will show you in ways that you can understand.

What are you questioning today?  What has God put on your heart?  The only way to get answers is to be in communication with God.  Moses talked with God through the burning bush.  We have a much safer way to talk with God, and it is by reading the Bible.  This week I challenge you to write down your questions for God, and pursue consistent prayer time and scripture reading over the next week.  You will see how God will start to answer those questions you have.  You will see how your path will get clearer and clearer.  God is with you, God is who He is, and God will show you in a unique way.

Have a wonderful week!

Song of the week:  By Your Side

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