Exodus 3:1-15

Years ago, there was a popular television commercial for Chiffon margarine. A woman dressed regally stood in a forest amidst the beauties of nature. She was Mother Nature and she tasted what she believed was her sweet creamy butter only to learn that it had been substituted with Chiffon margarine. With lightning flashing and thunder crashing, she announced, “It is not nice to fool Mother Nature!”

That advertisement reminded me of the exchange that takes place when Moses speaks with God on holy ground. Moses stands and then prostrates himself before the burning bush. God announces that the suffering of His people in Egypt has been heard and He has come to deliver them. Moses is interested in how God plans to accomplish this.

“‘Go!’ said God. ‘I am sending you to Pharaoh to ask him to let My people go.’ ‘Me?’ said Moses. ‘Who am I to go to Pharaoh? Who am I to lead Your people?’ He threw himself down onto the ground before God, but he kept one eye on the burning bush. ‘I will be with you,’ God said. Moses trusted God.’”

It is not wise to challenge God! God, who made us, knows what we are capable of doing. God knows that we may accomplish, even more than we could dream or imagine, as we rely on Him. Even that which seems impossible is possible as we trust God to give us courage, strength and wisdom we need.

Prayer

God of grace and God of glory, help us to realize that when we encounter You, we are standing on holy ground. Guard us from challenging or questioning what we believe You are asking us to do. Help us to trust You will give us the courage, strength, and wisdom we need when we are fearful and question our abilities. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.