2/14 Exodus 4:11
11 Then the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
Moses was trying to get out of the frightening assignment of going to Pharaoh and demanding that he release the Israelites so they could go and worship in the desert. Moses' excuse was that he was not a good speaker. Perhaps he had some kind of speech impediment or maybe he was like most of us who fear speaking in public. Our verse for today was God's response. How can you excuse yourself from the assignment by Almighty God by saying He didn't equip you properly? God was pointing out to Moses the absurdity of his excuse by reminding Moses that it was He who made his mouth.
Most of our excuses are something of this nature. We should be reminded how absurd our excuses are. If God calls us to a task, He will certainly equip us for it. Sometimes our handicap is a strength when it causes us to rely on the LORD. (2Corinthians 12:9)
My grandson was born with a cleft lip and palate. The LORD reminded me of this verse. God made his mouth. He also provided one of the most advanced surgeons in the field of cleft palate repair right in the very same town. God also gave this grandson a spirit that was tough enough to go through the surgeries like a champion. What an amazing God we serve! He can provide a solution to our handicap or use the handicap to strengthen us and make us even more productive than we would be without it.
God was asking Moses to have faith in Him, the Creator of all things, and to trust Him. He asks the same of us. We might not have as grand a task as that of Moses, but our assignments can be frightening none the less. It takes trust and faith in God to forgive an offender, to love after being hurt, to speak about our faith, or to stand up against evil. The One who assigns us the task will equip us for it with His very presence.
Prayer: LORD, help me remember this truth and to not make excuses. Remind me how absurd my excuses are. Help me step forward to Your assignments with faith and trust in You, my Creator.
