Devotional – January 27, 2021

The story of the birth and life journey of Moses is one of my favourite Bible stories; it resonates with me as I journey with God. From reading Moses’s story we learn that his journey came with trials and much uncertainty even from the beginning of his life. During the time Moses was born, Pharaoh ordered the death of all baby boys in the land. Israel had been growing rapidly and Pharaoh became fearful so he issued a command to his people, every boy who is born to the Hebrews must be thrown into the Nile and every girl is to be left alive.

Moses was in grave danger, but because of God’s love, and the wisdom of his parents he survived as long as he did. Soon it became too much to hide him, so his parents did what they felt was best while trusting the God of their ancestors to save him. Moses was placed in a basket made of reeds, it was sealed with tar and pitch, and wedged among the reeds along the edge of the Nile River. It was faith that kept Moses then, and faith that would keep him as an adult all because God had a special purpose for his life.

In my own Journey with God I, like Moses have endured and experienced moments that were not always easy, moments when I second guessed everything God said because it just did not seem possible in my tiny mind. I remember clearly the moments when God spoke plainly to me; still yet I chose to do things my way only to quickly see that what God had said to me made more sense than what I was trying to do. His wisdom always prevails.

In reflecting on Moses’s life work, he was called by God to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt where they had lived in bondage. God heard their groaning and decided it was time for them to be delivered; who better to do it than Moses who knew the ins and outs of how the city was governed. Moses was not so sure of his ability to do the job and needed reassurance time and time again before making the first bold move. Moses asked God question after question, and needed proof after proof. God being patient and loving showed him, answered him, and proved to him many times over that He would be with him. Moses made excuses about his speech impediment:

Please Lord I am not a talented speaker. I have never been good with words. I wasn’t when I was younger and I haven’t gotten any better since you revealed Yourself to me. I stutter and stammer, my words get all twisted.

Exodus 4:10

This story certainly brings me full frontal to how I am at times with God; He gives me instructions and I ask a question, then another question, then another. I ask for confirmation after confirmation before stepping out. I believe that I do that at times not because I have not yet learned to trust God as a result of my own fears and uncertainty that I will not be able to carry out the task in a manner that will please Him. Like Moses I just need time, confirmation, clarity and another dose of ‘yes I am with you‘ to push me through.

Surely, when I trust and obey God I experience victory though it may not be quick and painless. Anxiety sometimes kicks in which leads me to repeatedly go to the feet of God like Moses often did when the Hebrews were out of control. One thing remains consistent and true, God remains true to Who He is, He is always available to answer my many queries, and in my moments of uncertainty He reassures me that I am not on this path of faith alone; those reminders keep me grounded and focused as I follow Him.