Mensa Otabil - Overcoming Our Inadequacy
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Welcome to a new week. We start a new study from the book of Exodus. Exodus 3:1: «But Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? '»
Moses had a very supernatural encounter with God. It’s one of those things that we think, if we had them, they would answer all our questions, embolden us, and make us feel confident. However, after the encounter with the burning bush and God speaking to Moses, he still felt inadequate. So, he asked, «Who am I to go and do what you are asking me to do, Lord?»
The reason was that Moses fled from Egypt because of a failed attempt to address the oppression of the Hebrews. He tried to rescue an oppressed Hebrew, and the people fought back and resisted his leadership. This rejection by the people he thought he was about to help had lived with Moses for 40 years. After 40 years, he still hasn’t gotten over his sense of failure and inferiority. Many times, we do things in the past that don’t go well, and they linger with us for a very long time, making us feel inadequate.
So, let’s consider the questions Moses asked the Lord. The first question is, «How can I stand before Pharaoh? Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?» Now, why did Moses ask, «How can I stand before Pharaoh?» Because Moses was a persona non grata in Egypt. He was a wanted man. He had lived most of his life in the royal house of Egypt with Pharaoh and his relatives, and he was considered a member of the royal house. However, he betrayed the royal house severely when he killed an Egyptian and tried to side with the oppressed.
Now, he knows that he’s not wanted. He understands that they are against him. The story has been repeated; although it’s been 40 years, the memory still lingers that Moses is the person who cannot be trusted and must be eliminated when they come into contact with him. Moses understood the power of Pharaoh and the house of Pharaoh, so he says, «I don’t think I have what it takes to face this family; I know them-they are a tough bunch.»
The second question he asked was, «How can I bring Israel out of Egypt?» Moses had been rejected by the Hebrews. So, he says, «How can I go to the people who rejected me and hope that this time they would have a change of heart when they haven’t seen me for 40 years?» First, he’s afraid of Egypt, and then he’s also afraid of the Hebrews.
Have you ever felt unworthy when God seems to be pushing you, nudging you, directing you to something-a task, something for you to do? You just feel, «I blew it; I failed at it. I don’t have a good testimony; I don’t have a good story. How can I ever succeed at something that I failed at?» Well, you are in good company with Moses. He started out as a failure, but God was with him and helped him because God’s purposes for us never change. He’s relentless in pursuing us to do the things He wants us to be. When God has His eyes on you, He doesn’t blink. He will keep His eyes on you and pursue you until you do what He wants you to do. So, past failure is not a disqualifier for God’s purposes.
Let’s pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, I feel inadequate to do all the things that you want me to do. Fortify me by Your Spirit for the mission. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.»