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Devotional for Week of 30 June 2008 Sermon Title: Worship Sees God’s Faithfulness “The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (Exodus 4:11-12) Introduction When Moses killed the Egyptian soldier, he thought he had disqualified himself for God’s service. However, God did not forget about Moses and met him at the burning bush. This was not just a personal turning point for Moses but also the place where God showed His faithfulness to Israel, His firstborn, by revealing His plan to rescue them from Egyptian rule. There are several lessons that we can learn from today’s passage. Lesson One: Faithfulness, a Crucial Attribute We often feel that we lack the qualities that will attract people when we are called to God’s service. Our human thinking dictates that we must be attractive and eloquent to be received by people. However, this is not the case. God takes us the way we are and requires only faithfulness. This is the reason why God was angered when Moses displayed a lack of faith by stating repeatedly that he was not up to the task as he lacked oratory skills. God wants to use His people not because we are competent but rather because God wants us to see and know that it is only through His faithfulness and ability that we can become competent. The burning bush experience was important to Moses. Through that episode, Moses witnessed for himself God’s faithfulness and love and this convinced him to return to Egypt. Lesson Two: God Addresses our Past and Looks to the Future After his burning bush experience, we then read of the reason Moses gave to his father-in-law, Jethro for returning to Egypt. Moses said he wanted to see if his brethren in Egypt were alive. Yet if we compare his reason with that of God’s in Exodus 6:7, we see that God had explicitly stated that Moses was to go to Egypt reconcile the Israelites to God. God wanted the Israelites to know that He is their God, the God who would rescue them from slavery under the Egyptians. Yet Moses’ reason for returning showed what was really in his heart – guilt. Moses obviously cared deeply for his people or else he would not have killed the Egyptian for abusing the Israelite. In the 40 years in Midian, Moses may have also felt that he had failed his people by fleeing Egypt out of fear. But while Moses left Egypt, Egypt never left Moses. God knew Moses’ reason for returning and also the fears that Moses had. It was for this very reason that God told Moses that all those in Egypt who wanted to kill Moses are dead. Moses’ mind was on the past but God looked to his future and the future of the Israelites. Like Moses, we may also flee to our own “wilderness” when we feel like a failure and are weighed down by guilt. However, from Moses, we should understand that God lovingly provides a way out for us and this should encourage us not to dwell on our past. Lesson Three: Discerning the Shepherd’s Voice Right after being told by God to return to Egypt, we read of how God wanted to kill Moses for failing to circumcise his son. Circumcision was an important event for the Israelites as it marked the covenant of God and Abraham’s seed. It is a sign of God’s ownership over His people. Moses knew this and yet he had failed to circumcise his son. Zipporah, Moses’ wife, knew about the requirement of circumcision and quickly circumcised their son. She was obviously not happy to do so as shown by her unflattering remarks to Moses after having to circumcise their son (see v25-26). Perhaps, Moses had failed to circumcise his son because he listened to his wife and did not want to upset his family as Zipporah obviously did not support the circumcision. God was displeased with Moses for not circumcising his son and God made this clear before Moses reached Egypt. In essence, God was telling Moses that if Moses listened to others (whether Egyptians or not) instead of God, death will result. Similarly, in our life, there are many “voices” apart from God telling us what to do. If we listen to them in place of the voice of our loving and faithful God, we will be living in “death”. When God’s purpose has been made clear to you, obey it and trust in God and God will show his plans and love for your future. Lesson Four: Responding to Godly Friendship At Horeb, the Mountain of God where Moses encountered God in the burning bush, Moses and Aaron were reunited. Moses hadn’t seen Aaron for 40 years and verse 27 tells us that God prepared Aaron to meet and receive Moses. Aaron was a precious gift to a fearful Moses, becoming both a friend and brother to him. Together, they went on a dangerous journey, back to Egypt. Similarly, how precious it is when we are asked to enter someone else’s world, to engage and challenge them in God’s word. That is what Christian friendship is about. God gives us everything to prepare us to live this life - fellowship, help and equiping. The steps that we are called to take may seem tentative but nontheless God will equip and provide for us all the way. Be faithful to God as God is faithful. He gives us His authority as we are led to fulfill the greater will of God. Prayer Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for today’s message that reminds me of Your faithfulness and loving care. Help me to always have the right attitude of faithfulness and obedience when called to do Your work. Enable me to listen to Your commands and directions instead of the voices of others. Help me to be a friend to a fellow Christian and to encourage and support them in their walk with You. A devotional based on a message by Rev Ho Chee Sin
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