Self-Doubt

But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

Exodus 4:13 NIV

No hero of the Old Testament is as admired as Moses.  He faced down the mighty Pharoah of Egypt, parted the Red Sea, led the Israelites out of slavery, and delivered the ten commandments.   His outward accomplishments were second to none.  But inwardly he was full of self-doubt.

When God called to Moses out of the burning bush to tell him to free the Israelites from slavery, Moses makes one excuse after another.  “Who am I to do this?” he asks.  Remember Moses is living as a fugitive in a foreign land.  Kind of like living in the witness protection program, he has lived the life of a humble shepherd.  But now at 80 years old God wants him to go back and face down the mighty Pharoah of Egypt.  Moses doubts his qualifications.

But God says, “I’ll be with you.” So Moses raises another objection. “What if they ask me your name, God? I don’t even know it.” Moses doubts his knowledge.  God says, “Tell them I AM has spoken to you.”  So Moses objects again.  “What if they don’t believe me?  Moses doubts people will believe him.  God turns his staff into a snake so people will believe.  But Moses says, “I can’t speak very well.”  He doubts his abilities. God says, “I’ll help you speak and will teach you what to say.”  Finally, Moses simply says, “Please send someone else.”

Are you like Moses? Do you doubt your qualifications, your knowledge, your abilities, your calling from God?  Remember God will be with you.  Just as with Moses, God doesn’t call the qualified. God qualifies the called.  God is waiting to accomplish great things through you.  Be braver than lions – or at least as brave as Moses – and let God work through you.

Mark Miller