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Philippians 4:13
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Philippians 4:13
Devotion"Exodus 4:1-17"
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Today's Message
Philippians 4:13
Imagine a true-life experience from the ministry of Hudson Taylor, the nineteenth-century missionary who served in China. Taylor faced enormous challenges in taking the Gospel to a culture very different from his own. He had to learn to trust God for provision, persevere through hardship and adapt to unfamiliar circumstances. His missionary work became a lasting example of dependence on God rather than on personal strength alone. His experience reminds us that a divine assignment may be greater than our natural ability, but it need not be greater than God's enabling grace. The Bible declares in 2 Corinthians 3:5:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; In Exodus 3, God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Yet, when God commissioned him, Moses began to raise objections. He feared that the Israelites would not believe him, questioned his own speaking ability and eventually, asked God to send someone else. God responded by demonstrating His power, assuring Moses of His presence and providing Aaron as his spokesman. This passage teaches us that God's call may stretch our faith, but His grace is sufficient to equip us for obedience.
1. The Fear of Rejection— Overcoming Doubt Through God's Power
Moses feared that the Israelites would not believe him or accept that God had appeared to him. God graciously responded by giving him signs to demonstrate His authority. Moses asked, “But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice.” Moses allowed the anticipated reaction of others to become an obstacle to obedience. Similarly, fear of rejection, criticism, failure or public embarrassment can prevent believers from fulfilling God's assignments.
Do not allow people's possible rejection to silence your witness for Christ. When God gives you a responsibility, seek His direction rather than being controlled by the opinions of others.
God asked Moses, “What is that in thine hand?” Moses answered, “A rod.” God used the rod to demonstrate His power through miraculous signs. The rod was an ordinary object, but it became an instrument of divine purpose when surrendered to God. Identify and surrender your available gifts, skills, resources and opportunities to God.
2. The Feeling of Inadequacy — Depending on God's Enabling Grace
Even after God demonstrated His power, Moses raised another objection: he was not eloquent and considered himself inadequate for the task. Moses told the Lord that he was slow of speech and of a slow tongue. Believers today may feel unqualified because of limited education, inadequate resources, poor communication skills, past failures or lack of experience.
b. God reminded Moses that He is the Creator of the human mouth and promised to teach him what to say. God did not merely give Moses an assignment; He promised His presence and instruction. This teaches us that divine calling comes with divine enablement, although it does not remove the need for preparation, diligence and dependence on God.
3. The Flight From Responsibility — Accepting God's Provision for Service
Moses, eventually, pleaded, “O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send”(verse 13). In other words, he wanted God to appoint someone else. God responded by providing Aaron as Moses' spokesman, while insisting that Moses still had a responsibility to fulfil. Moses' repeated objections eventually, became reluctance to accept God's assignment. Although, God patiently answered his concerns, He was displeased with Moses' continued resistance. There is a difference between honestly seeking God's guidance and repeatedly resisting His clear instructions. For example, Jonah initially, fled from God's assignment, but eventually, obeyed the command to preach to Nineveh (Jonah 1:1–3; 3:1–3).
God appointed Aaron to speak on Moses' behalf, but Moses remained central to the assignment. God instructed Moses to take the rod with him because it would serve as an instrument through which His signs would be performed.
The lesson is that God may provide helpers, mentors, colleagues and other resources to support the work He has entrusted to us.
For example, Paul and Barnabas worked together in missionary service, combining their efforts to spread the Gospel (Acts 13:2–5).
Prayer Points
1. Lord, deliver me from fear, doubt and the fear of rejection that hinder my obedience to Your call.🙏
2. Father, strengthen my weaknesses and equip me with the wisdom, courage and abilities I need to fulfil Your purpose.🙏
3. Lord, forgive me for every excuse and every act of disobedience. Give me a willing and obedient heart.🙏
4. Holy Spirit, help every member of Light encounter tabernacle worldwide to recognize and use the gifts, resources and helpers You have provided to accomplish Your work faithfully.🙏
S
Written by
Segun Ajayi