Read Exodus 3:4-22
Moses had been resistant for forty years, likely telling himself all the time that his was a lost cause. Now, when God came with a direct, simple call, the old shepherd couldn’t handle it. In fact, he wouldn’t let himself believe he might still be useful to God. “Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10).
Now that wasn’t complicated, was it? The Lord spoke in a tongue Moses could understand. He gave him a simple, two-fold command. First, He said to Moses, “I will send you.” And second, “You will bring my people out.” That was the plan.
Notice, please, that this was not a multiple-choice arrangement. It wasn’t even an invitation. It was a call. God does not speak and ask our advice regarding His plan. God makes declarations. He doesn’t open up the scene for a rap session or a dialogue. He doesn’t call in a blue ribbon panel of consultants to suggest viable options.
He speaks, and that is that.
At very unique junctures of our lives, God says to us, “Now, My child, I have this in mind for you. I know that you have knotted things up in the past. And I know that you may knot things up in the future. But as far as today, right now, this is my plan for you. Now go. I’m sending you, and I will be with you.”
God told him that he would be an instrument in the deliverance, but God Himself would be the deliverer. Huge difference. In God’s calling, He has a plan: but He never expects you to carry out that plan. He’s going to pull it off. He simply wants you to be the instrument of action. After all, it is His reputation that’s at stake, not yours. All He asks is that you give yourself to Him as a tool He can pick up and use. That’s all.
And it’s really hard to hear while dozing in denial! Live the Joy Today! merlin
Verbatim from Chuck Swindoll’s devotional Great Days with Great Lives pg. 67.
Introduction
Our world is in desperate need of models worth following. Authentic heroes. People of integrity, whose lives inspire us to do better, to climb higher, to stand taller. This has always been true.
Perhaps that explains why biographies of great men and women have fascinated me throughout my life…. My soul is stirred and my heart inspired as those saints of old, people of “whom the world was not worthy” (Hebrews 11:38), play out their lives, make their mistakes, accomplish incredible feats, and finally pass on into glory. What encouragement! What enrichment!
The words of the Russian poet Boris Pasternik come to mind: “It is not revolutions and upheavals that clear the road to new and better days, but someone’s soul inspired and ablaze.” It is my hope that you will be enlightened and encouraged from beginning each day spending time with the Great Lives you’ll discover in this daily devotional. Here are ten deserving of our time and attention to help us endure the uncertain challenges of the future. Chuck Swindoll Frisco, Texas
The Great Lives Series
David: A Man of Passion and Destiny
Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity
Joseph: A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness
Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication
Elijah: A Man of Heroism and Humility
Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit
Job: A Man of Heroic Endurance
Jesus: The Greatest Life Of All