Tuesday's Tab

Did you ever have God tell you something He wanted you to do, and you knew in your heart it was God speaking to you, but because you either did not want to do it, or you felt incapable of doing it, your response was, “Who, me?” And when God said, “Yes, you”, you began to explain to Him why you were not the one He should choose, reminding Him of reasons that He surely had not taken into consideration.

If that's you, you are not alone, but just remember that God never has, or never will ask you to do anything that He has not equipped you to do, or will equip you to do, as the need arises. (Do keep in mind the equipping may take time, and it can be painful for our flesh!) He just wants you to have a willing heart to do what He asks, and then put action to it by being obedient. He will honor your willingness and obedience, and He will provide whatever you need to accomplish the task.

When God spoke to Moses and told him He was sending him to Pharaoh to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt, Moses’ response was, “Who am I?” or in other words, “Who, me?” (Exodus 3:10-11) And then he proceeded to tell God why he was not the one. He told Him the people would not listen to him because they would not think God had spoken to him.

When God did not accept that excuse, but continued with instructions, Moses tried another. He said “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue” (Exodus 4:10).

He was saying that had been the situation up to the point when God first began to speak to him, and that it had not changed since then, so he must not be the right one, because surely if he were the one, his speech would instantly have changed when God told him he was going to be speaking to the people. But, the ability to do things does not always come as far in advance of the need for the ability as we would like.

Whether Moses just did not want to do what God had called him to do (perhaps because of fear), or whether he really felt he had legitimate reasons that he could not do it, and that God had failed to take those reasons into considerations before He had confronted him for the task, we don’t know, but God had not made a mistake. Moses was the one He had chosen to use to lead the children of Israel out, and He was going to make sure he was equipped to do so.

God’s reply to Moses’ last excuse was, "The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? ¹² Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (Exodus 4:11-12).

But Moses was still hesitant, causing God’s anger to be kindled against him, and He agreed to send Aaron to be Moses’ spokesman, and the task was accomplished.

Another situation recorded in the Bible of someone’s response to God being “Who, me?” was Gideon. Israel had fallen into the hands of the Midianites, they had cried out to God, and He was going to deliver them. He chose Gideon as the one He would use to save them, but when He told Gideon He was sending him to save Israel from the Midianites, Gideon’s reply was, Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."(Judges 6:14-16). Gideon obeyed, allowing God to use him, and things happened as God said.

Neither Moses nor Gideon felt capable of doing what God told them to do, because they were looking at natural circumstances and at their own abilities, but God was just looking for a willing and obedient vessel that He could use and work through. He told each one, “I will be with you.”

God is still the same today. He is looking for willing and obedient vessels that He can work through to accomplish His plan in the earth, reaching people with the gospel of Jesus Christ, with His love, His power, and His deliverance. If He calls us to do something, regardless of whatever it is, or how impossible it looks to us, He will always be with us making sure that we have the ability to accomplish it. So let’s not respond to God’s calling with “Who, me?” in a negative attitude, as though we think He made a mistake in choosing us, or as though saying, “Am I really the one that has to do this?” But just (say, "yes, Lord!") be willing to step out in faith to God’s calling, knowing He will equip us completely for the calling. God will be pleased, and we will be blessed.