FAITH AND OBEDIENCE

(Post by: Colton)

Moses is quite an interesting character in the Exodus story. His story begins by the Lord saving him from being killed as a baby, is found by a princess who has compassion and chooses to care for him, and later runs away from Egypt because he protects an Israelite by killing the Egyptian who was mistreating him.

Moses, one of the most well-known characters in the Bible, gets quite an interesting introduction in the Exodus story.

Later in the story, God appears to Moses in a burning bush and tells him, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard their crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.” (Exodus 3:7). 

Personally, I deeply relate with this story due to many of the things I’ve been through with the legal consequences I have had to face which have been, and continue to be, a very influential part of my testimony.

I have cried out and I have suffered so much, and sometimes I was fooled into thinking that the Lord would not lead me through every part of the journey.

Oftentimes, I figured I would have to do something about it, or that I would be able to fix it in my own strength. I tend to get in my own way, and in the way of the Holy Spirit.

I believe each of us are tempted to get in our own way on a daily basis, because we tend to forget the faithfulness and goodness that He has shown us time and time again.  

We doubt God will come through for us THIS time, as if He has ever let us down before.

God says to Moses, “So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey— the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.” (Exodus 3:8)

God tells Moses that He will indeed rescue them, and the Lord says, “So now, go I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Here, the Lord commands Moses to go to Pharaoh, to have faith, and to obey.

The Lord explains to Moses the miracles and the signs He is about to perform to free His people, yet Moses’ response is a typical Christian response. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

How many times have we questioned the Lord when He has clearly told us to move forward in faith and obedience? 

Here Moses is, standing before a bush that is set ablaze, yet not burning, and hearing from the Lord. He is witnessing a miracle, being provided with the enormous opportunity to talk with God who is promising that He will use him and never leave his side, and his response is, “I can’t.”

You see, I relate with Moses’ response as I remember when I had to make a difficult choice before my court date. I had the option either to write a letter to the judge, or to speak to the judge in the courtroom. As soon as I was faced with this choice, I knew the Lord wanted me to stand before the judge and speak. I was TERRIFIED.

Thoughts raced through my head like, “What do I say?” “I can’t do that.” “What if I say something wrong?” I wrestled with God about this for some time, and that’s when I remembered a good saying a wise man once shared with me. “Our job is to always be available and obedient.”

“Available and obedient” is the saying that Scott lives by, and it’s now forever ingrained in my mind. Available: Be present. Obedient: Do what the Holy Spirit tells you to do.

In this moment, I knew I had to stand strong, ignore whatever fears the enemy may tempt me with, and be bold in that courtroom. I had no idea what I was going to say walking in there, but I had a strange sense of peace. It was like the Lord was speaking directly through me, I had no idea what was happening, but because of my faith and obedience the Lord was able to do what I thought was impossible. 

So, I relate with Moses in many ways. We both had to stand before someone who had the power to change our lives forever. However, we both knew the God who has the ultimate judgement, and we knew our responsibility was to be faithful and obedient to Him no matter what.

David Jeremiah once said, “The joy of discovery awaits all who read and obey the Word of God. Don’t miss out on that joy by failing to know His Word.”

There is so much joy awaiting you in the journey of faith and obedience.

Will you simply take the step and begin?

SO, WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

= In what ways can you move forward in faith and obedience this week?

= Is it challenging for you to obey God when you are fearful?

= What are you going to do differently?