Bible Study RECAP: Standing in Confidence

In the year 2018, something happened that I never thought would happen. I tried my hand at becoming a little bit more of an extrovert. I had started lifting and working regularly since late 2014 and my confidence in myself was at an all time high. So I started talking to more strangers and connecting to those around me. At first, it was a little scary because I am normally not the one going up to people to introduce themselves, but, slowly it became a little easier. Going through this experience helped shape the course of my future. So let's take WAY back and bring it up to my boy Moses.  Our focus for this evening is Exodus 3 - 4:1-14. we are going to be taking a look to night at the call of Moses.

So let's talk about my boy Moses, at the time of his call he couldn't have been more unsettled. He was abandoned at birth, raised as a outsider, a prince of egypt, a murderer. Sounding familiar? I am not sure what your going through but I am sure our boy here had more to consider than we do right now. But that is why he someone we can relate to so well. So how did this man who had so much to worry about, become such a great leader? Well we're about to find out.  

When Moses encountered God, something amazing was happening. But let's back track a bit and try to understand how Moses was feeling at that point. He, like us was dealing with deeply seeded that some of us can relate to. First he was abandoned as a baby. Now its not clear in Scripture if he found out as the bible kinda exempts his childhood and teenage years. But the sudden appearance of a baby is sure to turn heads. You know that where ever he turned he had the people talking. Second, being of Hebrew heritage the feeling of being an outsider must have been prevalent.  Being the known son of Pharaoh's daughter by some unknown mysterious circumstance is  something people will not take sitting down. Last of course was the case of his murder of an Egyptian. this was the last straw. We see in Scripture that Pharaoh had already decided to kill him before hearing his grandson's side of the story. This means that he had already built resentment against him and the murder was the last straw to immediately cast judgement. After all this, he ran to Midian to live a simpler life. Right when he found comfort in the life he was living did the Lord call him.

When you want to stand in confidence, remember who sent you. 

God called him when he was in his most comfortable state into action in a place he never wanted to go back to. We all would have some doubt about this. Taking orders from a bush that was burning who would do that? But what happens next is utterly amazing. God actually validates him. Moses started questioning himself. Whom am I? What if they question my intentions? But at every turn, God answers him clearly, by telling him exactly what he needs to hear and what to say. Why is this amazing? It is simply because the first thing we think about when we face a challenge or assignment is, "Why". The reasoning behind this question is just simply because we are afraid. You see when we feel insecure or not confident about something, we are initially fearful about what will happen. It happens to all of us. We start asking asking questions validating why we aren't able to do this. Its at this time you have to remember who sent you. God reminded Moses of whom he is. Then, Moses did something we all continue to do, try to say he's not fit for the call that God has specifically laid out to him. Remember that the your confidence in yourself and your mission is a direct correlation to your relationship with you and God.

Let's continue, because Moses wasn't done yet. He was afraid and now he's being told to go back to his native land and face a Pharaoh who is open to killing him. God has got his back and validated him. But, he's still not settled. Now, Moses now is asking for signs to show the people that it was truly the God of Abraham and Isaac has has sent him, a former prince of Egypt, a murderer, and an outcast to save you. The very people whom my adopted family has enslaved and murdered. If I were an Israelite in this time, I would obviously be in the same frame of thinking. But its at this time God reminded him that:

When you want to stand in confidence, remember who's got your back. 

Remember that God, has your back. Moses was thinking the same think we were, what if they don't believe me, what can I do to validate what I have been instructed to do? Well, God got your back brother. Let's read Exodus 4: 2 - 9. We see that the Lord didn't only give him the mission but he also gave him the tools. You see, when your called into a position, he has already equipped you to do the work. You just need to practice them. Before joining Iron Canvas, I was in that same place. I was praying about my next journey in my life and ministry after YA. It was unknown to me that within a week of me praying about it that I met Matt and the rest of Iron Canvas and the next venue of my ministry began. You see, God's always making sure your on the right path, but its on us to be patient and believe that where we are is a place learning and growth. But you see God isn't incomplete when he calls us. He reminded both Moses and I that:

When you want to stand in confidence, remember that your were made incomplete to be made whole through community

You see, God has equipped you to handle a mission, but he never will send you alone. He always provides the right people for you to succeed your mission. Let's read Exodus 4 10 - 17. Moses in a last ditch effort decided to say, "Hey I am not physically able to complete this request" because of  my slow speech. But God had already called is brother, Aaron, to his side and he was already on the way. God had provided the help in advance to Moses so that he wouldn't feel alone in his calling. In our lives we often don't want people involved in what we are doing, but God reminds us that we aren't meant to live life alone. we are meant to serve with others to accomplish our calling.

You see, when God calls you, he not only validates your work, he gives you the tools, and he provides the resources and community to make your mission successful. Something we all have to understand is that sometimes, All we have to do is take the leap.

Challenge:

In what areas in your life have you felt that you needed to be challenged more?

Reflection:

Has God called you to do something and you ultimately didn't do it? What came of that calling? How has it affected your life?

-Ralph