"But Did You Go?" by Pastor David Guzik

BUT DID YOU GO? -  by Pastor David Guzik

So Moses went. (Exodus 4:18)

They are three simple words, but there's a lot of power behind them. "So Moses went."

Moses had a dramatic experience with God out in the desert. God met him in a miracle - a bush aflame, yet not being burnt up. Moses heard the voice of God speaking directly to him. God gave him three miraculous signs.

But when the fire fades from the burning bush, when the voice of God is silent across the desert; then it is upon us to obey, and to do what God has told us to do. More than one person has had a spectacular burning bush type experience and then went on to live as if it had never happened.

Moses was different. "So Moses went." God has poured a lot into you and given you a call and a promise. But did you go? God has put people and needs on your heart. But did you go? Perhaps God has told you to stay awhile and wait. Did you do that?

Sometimes we won't do what God tells us because we don't see how it will all work out. But Moses had little or no idea what would happen when he agreed to take the Lord's call.

- Could he see the Egyptian army closing in, and God parting the Red Sea through Moses' hand?
- Could he see the song of victory, the water from the rock, the manna from heaven, the battles won through prayer?
- Could he see vision of God on Mount Sinai, the voice of God from heaven, the tablets of stone, the golden calf?
- Could he see the tabernacle built, the priests consecrated?
- Could he see the spies sent forth into Canaan, the response of unbelief, and a thirty-eight year sentence to wander the wilderness?
- Could he see a lonely climb to the top of Mount Pisgah, where he would die looking out over the land of promise?
- Could he see the honor of sitting beside the Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration?

Moses didn't see any of that, but he trusted God enough to take the next step without demanding that God tell him the whole plan.

Nevertheless by faith "Moses went." So we should obey without knowing all the answers.


By David Guzik

David is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara: www.calvarychapelsb.com and teaches at Generation Bible College: www.generationbiblecollege.com

For Bible Study resources by David Guzik, go to: www.enduringword.com/library_commentaries.htm

For David Guzik podcast or rss audio feed, find the link at www.enduringword.com.

"Willing and Able" by Pastor David Guzik

WILLING AND ABLE -  by Pastor David Guzik

"Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." But he said, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send." So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses. (Exodus 4:12-14)

God had a job for Moses to do. Forty years earlier Moses would have jumped at the chance, but after spending forty years herding sheep in the desert he was hesitant.

Because God wanted Moses to do the job, He gave Moses assurance after assurance. He gave Moses the sign of the burning bush. He allowed Moses to hear the divine voice. He gave Moses the divine name. He gave Moses three miraculous signs. It still wasn't enough. Finally, God gave Moses a command: "Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say."

Moses finally finished with all the excuses and he reluctantly spoke the truth: he would much rather that God send someone else. Despite all his excuses, Moses' problem wasn't really a lack of  ability; it was a lack of willingness.

God reacted: "So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses."

- God was not angry when Moses asked, "Who am I?" (Exodus 3:11)
- God was not angry when Moses asked, "Who should I say sent me?" (Exodus 3:13)
- God was not angry when Moses refused to believe God's Word and said, "suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice" (Exodus 4:1)
- God was not even angry when Moses (falsely) claimed that he was not and had never been eloquent (Exodus 4:10)

But God was angry when Moses was just plain unwilling.

There might have been a hundred reasons why Moses was unwilling, and perhaps some of those reasons made some sense. Yet at the end of it all, Moses was unwilling, not unable.

More than anything, God wants us to be willing. Willing to do what He tells us to do. Willing to serve Him. Willing to listen. God regards your willingness as a serious matter. Do you?


By David Guzik

David is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara:
www.calvarychapelsb.com and teaches at Generation Bible
College:
www.generationbiblecollege.com

For Bible Study resources by David Guzik, go to:
www.enduringword.com/library_commentaries.htm

For David Guzik podcast or rss audio feed, find the link at
www.enduringword.com.