Mensa Otabil - Lord, I Can't Speak (10/02/2025)
Exodus chapter 4, verse 10: Then Moses said to the Lord, «O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant, but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.» Moses had doubts about himself and the mission that God had called him to. Even after God had shown so much of Himself to Moses, his doubts still lingered. In today’s passage, we read the fourth complaint that Moses gives to God, or the fourth protest against his mission and what God wanted to use him for.
The first time, he said to God, «I’m not worthy to stand before Pharaoh and Israel,» and God assured him. Then he asked God how he would introduce Him to Israel and what he should say His name was. God replied, «Tell them I am that I am.» In all these instances, God persists in answering Moses' questions. Then Moses raises another objection and says, «Lord, how am I going to convince them that You truly sent me?» God says, «Okay, I’m going to show you two signs.» The rod turns into a serpent and then back into a rod, and then his hand becomes leprous and returns to being healed. You would think that after these signs, the man would be so satisfied and assured of his mission, but then he raises a fourth complaint. He disqualifies himself with a flimsy excuse: he has a speech impediment.
Moses says to God, «I am not eloquent,» and the reason is that he is slow of speech and slow of tongue. Then he says something that is quite baffling, and I hope none of you would say this. He says, «God, I had this speech impediment before You started talking to me, and after You have finished talking to me, whilst I’ve been in Your presence, the problem has not been solved. I still have the speech impediment.» Moses is literally repudiating God. He is saying, «God, Your presence makes no difference in my life. Your power makes no difference in my life. I had the problem before I met You, and I still have it after meeting You. Nothing has changed.»
By this time, you would think that God would disqualify Moses, but the grace of God pursues him, and God still works with Moses. That reveals the love and compassion of the Lord. The Lord is slow to anger, and the Lord is compassionate towards us. Even when we disparage Him and ourselves, He still pursues us. God knew Moses; He knew the damage that his past had done to him and the impact it had on his self-esteem. God knew that underneath this man of low confidence was a man He could use with the right attitude. That’s why God still pursues us—because He sees beyond our limitations. Underneath all the protests, He still sees a man and a woman He can use. I just want you to know that God sees you better than you see yourself; He sees deeper than you can ever see.
So what is your excuse? Maybe you are also like Moses, saying, «Well, I didn’t have a good upbringing. My parents were this way; my parents were that way. I don’t even know who my parents were. I don’t have money. I don’t have this, and I don’t have that. I’m not tall enough. I’m not handsome. I’m not beautiful.» What is your excuse? Why are you pushing God’s purposes back? Why is it that any time God wants to do something with you, you disqualify yourself and think you are not worthy or able?
Don’t have this attitude; God wants to use you. Avail yourself to Him, and He will do marvelous things with your life. If you feel unworthy, instead of pushing back at God, just trust Him that He will take you as you are and use you for His own glory—not because of the abilities you have, but because of His grace and mercy. I pray that you will not disqualify yourself for the mission that God has given to you.
Let’s pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, You have qualified me to do great things for You. Help me not to disqualify myself. In Jesus' name, amen.» Well, my friends, God’s hand is upon you, and you can’t push Him back too easily. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.