Encouraged by the Faithful - Pt 4

And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” (Exodus 3:9-12 ESV). Today we look at a man of faith who has so much to do with the making of the history of the Old Testament that the short space we have in this venue will not allow us to do more than focus microscopically on his life. Moses’ story is a hinge point in the story of redemption. By the time we get to our reading today Israel has been in slavery for nearly four centuries. Moses has fled to the wilderness and is tending sheep for his father-in-law, Jethro. He looks across the arid land and sees a bush that is engulfed in flames but is not burning. He approaches to examine such a sight and God speaks to him, Come, I will send you to Pharoah that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, our of Egypt. He questions God’s choice. God answers him with a simple answer of a promise to be with him. Moses ultimately goes to Pharoah with a staff and God’s name and demands that he let the people of God go free. In his refusal, nine plagues are visited on Egypt, with the last being a plague that took the life of the first born of every Egyptian household. God’s instruction to him was a consistent promise of being with him. God’s instruction to kill a lamb and mark the doors with the blood looks forward the greatest promise of all. It is the prophetic announcement of the death of Jesus for every child of God. God is with us. Throughout the Bible we see this same promise given to every child of God. Whatever challenge or difficulty you may be facing today, God will be with you in Christ. This is the Easter season. As you work your way to that great Christian celebration of life, please remember it is only realized through the work of grace through the Son of God. It is easy to confuse the things we do with the work of God in our lives. Moses didn’t do anything to deserve or earn the presence and protection of God. Nor can we do anything to deserve or earn that marvelous presence of God working in our life. He comes to us and lives within us through the Holy Spirit. There is nothing that can separate us from that presence. Moses, the man of faithfulness, was not a perfect man. We are not called to be perfect. Jesus has already done that on our behalf. Trust Him! You will never need any other to carry you safely to your home in heaven. Death no longer holds any power over us. We have been set free by the ultimate Moses – Jesus!