‘Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’” ‘ -Exodus 4:1 ESV
It has been said that confidence whispers but insecurity shouts. That is certainly true in my life and it seems to be the case for Moses in this argument he has with God. God is sending him to confront the absolute ruler of the dominant superpower and to lead God’s people out of their slavery in Egypt. Despite having been a witness to the power of God in the burning bush and hearing directly his commission to go, Moses insisted on presenting his objections to God.
Moses is stuck in the limitations defined by his insecurities. His focus is entirely on his “what ifs” and not on God’s “what is.” We fall into this pattern when we believe that we understand the situation better than God does. When we listen to our objections instead of God’s promises, we inevitably become paralyzed by our insecurity and doubt. This happens when we believe the three lies that Moses believes.
Lie #1: I understand the situation better than God does…
This is Moses’ first objection. He tells God, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.”’ Moses thinks God should have done a better job of audience analysis. He tries to educate God on the realities of the situation. It’s laughable to imagine Moses mansplaining to the God whose voice speaks to him from the still-blazing bush.
But, it’s no less ridiculous than we are. How often do we allow our insecurities draw us to soften and weaken the clear word we are receiving from God. We will struggle to be fully present with God as long as we insist that God adopt our view of the situation. (When you find yourself wishing God would be more realistic, you’re probably trapped in this lie.) Instead, we should seek to know and accept God’s view and believe in what he has promised us and move confidently toward what he is calling us.
Lie #2: I know my limitations better than God does…
Moses shifts his argument to himself. He proclaims that he is not equipped for the task. He says, “I am not eloquent…I am slow of speech and tongue.” Moses wants to remind God that 40 years of sheep-tending has blunted his people skills. He has let his toastmaster’s membership lapse and he’s afraid he’ll sound like an idiot. When people believe this lie it is often mistaken for humility. But the truth is that it’s a form of pride to imagine that the success of God’s mission for you has anything to do with you at all.
As long as we imagine that we are the critical element of God’s master plan for the universe, we will see ourselves as inadequate to the task. The truth is that God rarely uses the beautiful, talented, young, brilliant and strong for his purposes. Instead, we should seek to know and accept that all God really asks of us is our submission. He’ll take it from there.
Lie #3: I know there is someone better than me…
Moses finally drops all pretense of logical argument and simply exclaims, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” This is the last desperate gasp of our insecurity as it clings to our hearts by its fingernails. The trap of comparative self-righteousness works in the opposite direction as well.
We can convince ourselves that there is someone more talented, more spiritual, more mature, and more prepared than we are. We convince ourselves that the very existence of this person releases us from the responsibility to answer the call of God on our lives. Instead, we must realize that God calls each of us to our own place in his kingdom and be grateful for the role he has designed for us.
Being Present with God
For Moses to truly be present with God and receive the calling that God is giving him, he must let go of his reasoned objections. We must follow the same progression as we allow God to put our doubts to death. We can exchange the insecurities we have about our own situations and abilities for the confidence we receive from submission to God’s power and plan for our lives. The best way to do this is to make a space to be present with God and name your insecurities and lay them before him. Allow his greatness to show you just how small your insecurities and objections really are. Thank him that he is and has everything you need, that he will provide and that he will never leave you or forsake you. Then you can joyfully submit to his will and rest secure in his presence.
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