Devotions Based on Hymns from Glory to God and Their Scriptural Allusions

READ: Exodus 4:10-13

This story follows Moses being called by God to deliver a message to Pharaoh. The message, of course, is to let God’s people go. While Moses had grown up in Pharaoh’s household, he nevertheless was not real comfortable around him and specially to tell him that God wanted him to release the Hebrews. To get out of this situation, Moses tells God that he has never been an eloquent speaker … not then and not now. To support his argument with God, Moses tells God that he is slow of speech and slow of tongue.

The Lord then asks Moses, “Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I the Lord? Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.” But Moses said, “O my Lord, please send someone else.”

Two lyrics of this hymn well illustrate the situation of Moses. First, “Open my ears that I may hear, voices of truth Thou sendest clear. And while the wave notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.” Moses needs to stop, listen and consider who is addressing him. It is God who gave him ears to hear. Second, “Open my mouth and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere.” God promises Moses to be with his mouth and to teach him what to say. It is God who will give Moses the words to speak.

We are often like Moses questioning our abilities when we have been called by God to do some task. If this is something we have not done before of if it is something, we tried, but were not satisfied with the result, then that can explain our hesitancy or reluctance. The one most important thing we need to remember is that God does not call us to tasks without equipping us to do them. God wants to see us succeed and thereby give Him the praise and glory.

Prayer

O God, forgive us of those times, when we, like Moses, have made excuses for doing what You have called us to do. Remind us that You go with us when we face these challenges giving us courage and strength. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.