God calls, God Equips

But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

Exodus 4:10–12

Exodus 4 comes right on the heels of God explaining that He was fed up with Israel being in bondage in Egypt. He was on the verge of performing great signs and wonders before the Egyptian leadership and Moses would be His spokesman. God was calling Moses to lead Israel into freedom . . . into a life of liberty.

Moses’ response is probably all too familiar to most of us, “I can’t do that. Lord, You’re asking me to lead over a million people, and I get scared talking in a Zoom meeting with ten people. I’ve yet to complete the public communication class. I fumble and stumble over my words when two or three of my friends ask me to pray out loud for them. Just thinking about it makes me sweat.” Moses even asks the Lord just to send someone else (Exodus 4:13). 

He has bought the lie that God’s calling is somehow dependent on his own personal strength and power and speaking ability. He argues, “But I am slow of speech and tongue” (Genesis 4:10). Quite often, God does not remove our problems, inadequacy, or weaknesses. Why? To help us understand our need to lean into Him and depend on His sovereignty and grace to get us through.

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth,

Three times I prayed to the Lord about this [some physical ailment that Paul had] and asked him to take it away. But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.”

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 GNB

Paul (like Moses, like me, and like you) is tempted to try to work for the Lord in his own strength. This comes from a place of self-reliance and nearly always leads to arrogance and chest-thumping.   We tend to lean on ourselves. However, those people who struggle with weaknesses in their lives tend to lean on God and His authority and His power.

If we can find a way to recognize and acknowledge our weaknesses and rest on God and His plan, we will become stronger than we could have ever imagined. Even in the face of our shortcomings and weak spots (maybe because of them), it is God’s mercy and grace that empowers us to act. As we begin to trust God more every day, successfully scaling the mountains in our lives will always bring honor and praise to Him, rather than to the man or woman in the mirror.

Scripture does not record Paul’s ailment ever being removed or healed. It doesn’t look like Moses ever went on any professional speaking tour. However, God used them in the mightiest of ways. Moses did lead well over a million people out of Egypt and Paul was the greatest missionary that ever lived. In fact, he penned two-thirds of the New Testament. Both men were completely dependent on God’s grace for their strength. Paul wrote,

It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

                 Galatians 2:20

I don’t know what God is calling you to do. Maybe He’s nudging you to share your Jesus story with your neighbor, to lead a small group or a Sunday School class, to jump into vocational ministry, or to lead a weekly prayer ministry. Whatever it is, you will fail if you rely on you. You will stumble if you depend on your words. However, you will soar like an eagle if you completely surrender yourself to Jehovah Jireh—the God who provides. He will take care of everything you need to accomplish that which He calls you to. Trust Him.

Thank You, Lord, for being faithful to provide exactly what I need, to get done what You have for me to get done. I trust that when You call, You equip. Lord, keep me humble and always let me see Your awesomeness in my weaknesses. Father, thank You for always walking with me and always having my back. In the name of THE Provider, Amen.