June 12 SOAP Devotional

June 12, 2009
Read Exodus 3
To read this text go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%203&version=31

Scripture- Exodus 3:11- But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

Observations- After making the transition to the new life that came following Moses’ killing the Egyptian guard, he encounters God through the burning bush. God uses this encounter to call Moses to serve Him in a great task. Moses first reaction is to question his qualifications for the job. I believe that the memory of his past sin is in full focus here. How can Moses go to the Pharaoh given that everyone knew about the crime he committed? When faced with God’s call, Moses looked immediately to his own limitations as the roadblocks to fulfilling that call.

Application- It has been said that God does not call the qualified, God qualifies the called. The Bible is full of stories of God using flawed, broken people to do great things. God has a habit of calling us to things that seem impossible. The lesson to learn in these moments is that it is not about us, but it is about God. God only needs our willingness to be used in order to use us to do great things. God sees the potential of what lies within us and taps that potential, while empowering us with the Holy Spirit. When this happens, we realize that the words of Paul from Philippians 4:13 are so very true, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” When we are surrendered to God and fully relying on God, then we can do whatever we are asked to do, no matter how big and intimidating (or small and insignificant) it might seem.

Prayer- Dear God, help me to focus on Your greatness and not my faults. I know that You want to do so much more through me than I often allow You to do because, like Moses, I am arguing with You about all the reasons I think I can’t do what You are asking. Please knock me over the head if You have to, to get my attention and straighten my thinking out. I would rather be hit with Your holy 2x4 than miss out on the blessing of obedience. Thank You for being so lovingly patient with me. Amen

Peace,
Pastor Matt

PS—Thank you for praying for the Harre family. Joyce died and went home to be with Jesus yesterday at around 11:00am. There will be a service for her on Saturday, June 21st, at 3pm in the Sanctuary. There will be a reception following in the Gym.