Mensa Otabil - Here I am
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We’re learning about Moses and his call from Exodus chapter three. This is verse number four: so when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, «Moses, Moses.» He said, «Here I am.» Moses has drawn close to the Lord to see an unusual sight; he sees a bush burning, but the fire is there, and the leaves are not consumed. He took notice and decided to go closer.
Now I want you to note God’s response to what Moses did. The Bible says the Lord saw when Moses turned aside; that shows us something very important about God. He tests us to see how we will respond. So, He shows Moses something and He’s waiting to see how Moses responds. Verse three says Moses stands aside; verse four says God saw. Isn’t it amazing that immediately Moses moved, God saw it? He recognized it.
So, what if Moses had seen that fire and had moved on? He would not have received the next level that God wanted to show him. There are times when we miss divine opportunities. Have there been such times in our lives where God wanted to take us further, but we moved on because we were casual about something He wanted us to pay attention to? God goes to the next step with us when we follow the first step He’s showing us.
He wanted all along to speak to Moses; that was His plan. He wanted to use Moses, but He started by drawing him to a place and showing him something, watching to see what Moses would do. When Moses responded, then God went to the second level of His revelation. He’s not only seen now; he’s about to hear. God spoke to him and called him by name: «Moses, Moses.» And he responds, «Here I am.»
Can you imagine how Moses would have felt? He’s in the backside of the desert; he thinks he’s forgotten. Nobody knows him; Egypt has forgotten him; the Hebrews have forgotten him. He is not with his father-in-law; he is alone by himself. And God mentions his name. That means that no matter how far you are, or how alone you think you are, God knows you by name. He knows where you are; He knows your location. He will identify you, and God just wants Moses to know people might have forgotten about you. You may think your life is over and there is no hope for you, but I still know you, Moses, and I know you by name, and I will use you.
God knows you by name, and if you turn aside to seek Him, He will call you by name and use you for His purpose. I like Moses’s response when God calls him; he says, «Here I am.» He’s not the first person to say, «Here I am.» Abraham also said, «Here I am»; Isaac said, «Here I am»; Jacob said, «Here I am.» It is a statement that says, «Lord, I am here, and I’m ready.» When God calls you, that’s what you say: «I’m here, and I’m ready.»
He hasn’t achieved much for himself in 40 years, but he’s about to do something unusual, and it starts when he takes his flock close to the mountain of the Lord, sees something unusual, draws closer, and now his name is being called. But that’s not the end of the story; it’s just warming up because God is about to tell him something very, very massive.
Today, I just want you to know that God knows where you are, and when He calls you, just respond, «Here I am.» Let’s pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, thank you that you know me by name and you know where I am. I am here, Lord; use me for your glory. In Jesus' name, amen.» We’ll continue tomorrow, and Pastor Mesa Otable. Shalom, peace, and life to you.