Did God really say he would equip us for the battles ahead?

Yes … yes he did.

Despite the many confirming circumstances, signs, and words from God, Moses struggled to find the courage to do the thing God called him to do: Lead God’s people out of slavery. A disciple of Christ is also given this charge: Lead my people to Christ so he can set them free from sin. But the faith we found in our last victory may be lacking as we face our next battle. We are prone to think: I dodged a bullet last time, but this time … ?

“You have not let me know who you will send with me,” Moses said. Exodus 33:12. Moses needed help, knew it, and asked God to provide a team larger than one. Moses clearly understood his calling; what he lacked was confidence that the one who called him would also equip him. So he asked, “Lord if you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” Exodus 33:13

Because we live on this side of Jesus’ resurrection, God’s assurances to Moses are ours in Christ.

1. My Presence will go with you. Exodus 33:19
2. I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14
3. I will cause my goodness to pass in front of you. Exodus 33:19
4. I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. Exodus 33:19
5. I will have mercy on who I will have mercy. Exodus 33:19
6. I will have compassion on who I will have compassion. Exodus 33:19
7. I will put you in a cleft in a rock. Exodus 33:21
8. I will cover you with my hand. Exodus 33:22
9. You will see my back. Exodus 33:23
10. You will not see my face.Exodus 33:23

Through Christ, God has promised that this battle you face, this journey ahead, need not be a solitary struggle. God is beside, behind, and ahead of you.

Lord, when I grow weary, give me rest.

When evil surrounds me, cause your goodness to pass before m.

When the chaos of today’s news prompts me to cover your hears, whisper your name, reminding you that you are in charge.

When I shrink from the battle, cry out in fear, turn and run, have mercy on me. As a comrade in arms, give me your courage.

Lord, do not shame and condemn me, but offer pity and concern for my sufferings and circumstances.

During the heat of battle, place me in a bunker of protection.

Like a mother shielding her terrified child from the horrors she sees and fears, cover my eyes with your hand.

And when it is time to advance, Lord, go before me.

Though I may not see your face, give me your courage and confidence. Bless me in this way and I can face today’s battles. Amen.

Did God really say it’s okay to use violence to defend your home and family?

Yes … yes he did.

Up to a point.

This is what God says: “If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed. But if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed.” Exodus 22:2. God goes on to say, “A thief must make restitution for what he takes.” And if he cannot, the thief must, “be sold to pay for his theft.” Exodus 22:3

The spirit of this command seems to be: the theft of property does not justify the taking of the thief’s life. On the flip side, incarceration without restitution does not restore the victim. Let us pray that all our judges rule wisely and administer justice fairly.

Did God really say he makes men and women deaf, blind, and mute?

Yes … yes he did.

When speaking to Moses in Egypt God said, “Israel is my firstborn son.” Exodus 4:22. Then Moses went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Let my son go, so he may worship me.” Exodus 4:22-23

But before Moses found the courage to confront Pharaoh, to take on the most powerful man in the land, he begged God to send another. God answered Moses,“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? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Exodus 4:11-12

Perhaps you have heard someone say “God doesn’t make mistakes.” This is often used to justify their actions, their beliefs, their behavior. God has, can, and will use our imperfections for his glory, but he will never call our sinful behavior his will.

Once Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned. This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9: 2-3

God willed this man to be blind from birth. God ordained it. But if Jesus had not passed by that day, if the blind man never met Jesus, he would have remained blind. We are all born spiritually blind. Even as light shines around us, our sin leaves us groping in darkness. And so we say of our sinful behavior: “God does not make mistakes. I was born this way. It is God’s will.”

While our physical afflictions may appear grossly unfair, the greater loss is our inability to recognize Jesus when he passes by. God gave you your mouth, eyes, ears, limbs, DNA … but he also comes to us asking if we wish to be spiritually changed at a heart and soul level.

“You(r) blind!” Jesus called. “First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”

God seeks change on the inside, at a soul level. He knows our body will perish but our soul will last for eternity.

Israel is God’s firstborn son.

Jesus is God’s only begotten son (having no peer, unique, one of a kind.)

And if you gave your life to Christ, you are God’s child. Physically marred, perhaps. Mentally lacking in areas, but spiritually perfect as a result of the spirit of Christ living inside you.

Lord, you gave me this mouth, these eyes, these ears … you shaped me in a fashion best suited to serve you, to testify to your power and sovereignty. Please help me to accept your will in my life. Though I may wish to be changed physically, help me to be transformed into the image of Christ so that others may say of me, “There goes one of God’s children.”

Did God really say he is pulling for you?

Yes … yes he did.

Early in his career as leader of Jewish slaves, God said to Moses and the people, “I will be with you.” Exodus 3:12.

“I AM!” Exodus 3:14.

“You will plunder …” Exodus 3:22.

“I have promised to bring you up out of your misery and into a land flowing with milk and honey.” Exodus 3:17.

Then much later God, working through Jesus, said, “I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Often we think we are alone, that nothing we do matters — that our efforts are a waste of time, a waste of money. But if God is for you, if you have exchanged your life for the life of Christ, then when you are doing the thing he called you to do, he is pulling for you. You may not see your efforts rewarded immediately. You may not hear his voice or see circumstances change, but he is working on your behalf.

Moses and God’s people heard these promises from God, but outwardly nothing changed. They remained slaves in Egypt. In fact, over the next year their conditions grew worse.

In what way do you wish God was pulling for you? Ask for his help.

“Lord, please be with me today. Be my God today. Be the great I AM that stands for me against my enemies. Take plunder from my enemy, Satan, and provide for my daily needs. Bring me out of this land, these circumstances, and lead me into your expansive kingdom. Finally, Father, at the end of each day, each week, and my life, give me rest in you.”