In When in doubt, obey God! we saw the LORD demonstrate His power to Moses using the staff in the servant’s hand. We also saw Moses continuing to vacillate about his ability to complete the ministry assignment he had been given. Now, we will continue our journey with Moses as he prepares to return to Egypt.
After the LORD revealed to him in a dream that those who had sought to kill him were dead (Exodus 4:19), Moses gets his father-in-law’s blessing; prepares his family; and packs up his belongings to head back to Egypt (Exodus 4:20). The most important of the belongings he would take with him would be the staff the LORD had given him, by which the LORD had already demonstrated His signs and wonders (Exodus 4:2-9). Moses was instructed to perform those same signs and wonders in the presence of Pharaoh (Exodus 4:21-23):
“The LORD said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’”
So with staff in hand and the word of the LORD, Moses journeys on. He may have had lingering fears, but if so he didn’t allow any of them to stop him from obeying the LORD. In my sanctified imagination, I can see Moses walking along the road to his destiny, using that staff as a walking stick and maybe even glancing at it from time to time to remind himself that the LORD would do all that He had promised. For all we know, he may have wanted to turn back in the midst of the journey many times, but he never did. He kept walking by faith, in the direction the LORD had commanded. And what an assignment he was tasked to complete! He was told to go before Pharaoh and demand that he set his Israelite kinsmen free. If that wasn’t enough, he would have to do this with the full knowledge that the LORD would harden Pharaoh’s heart and he would refuse to release the Israelites, until the LORD would finally strike down Pharaoh’s firstborn son, and those of all the Egyptians (Exodus 11).
Moses’ journey can be paralleled with our own. Often, when the Lord charges us to complete an assignment we have to accept the fact that the road may not be easy. In fact, completing the assignment may stretch us in ways we had not imagined. It takes courage to obey, and keep obeying, the Lord! But wrapped in the challenges that await us is a promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). I am so grateful for the encouragement we find in the Scriptures! In moments of doubt and hesitation, He takes me to passages like Psalm 27 and uses David to remind me that He is my light and salvation and I need not be afraid. Then, He bolsters my confidence by taking me to passages like Joshua 1:9 (Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go), and Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me). I could go on and on, but you get the point! When God gives you an assignment, He has already made provision for you to accomplish the work!
Are you walking by faith, carrying out an assignment the Lord has given? Even though fears and doubts may assail, keep trusting Him and keep walking! Remember, He is “…able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (2 Cor. 9:8).
Be encouraged in God’s Word: Joshua 1; 2 Corinthians 5:7, 12:9.
Copyright 2012 by Nicole J. Johnson
Thank you for that devotion! I strongly want to walk by faith but I feel like I’m still in the wilderness just running around in circles…I find myself in the same situation, but different location. I want to move past but I think I’m missing the mark? I pray that God can pull me thru the wilderness!
By: Carpenters Child on February 1, 2012
at 11:55 am
I’m glad this was a blessing to you. I understand your frustration, but also know that God can, and will, bring you through this season of testing if you keep trusting and obeying Him. Remember to keep your focus on Him and His ability to bless and keep you.
By: peacepublishing on February 1, 2012
at 12:49 pm
Hello Minister Nicole,
As usual, you obediently followed the leading of the Lord to write a blog that’s so fitting for me. I had a conversation last evening that was similar in nature, it’s confirmation! I must be obedient to being used by the Lord though the obstacles are many at present. I have to see past the hindrances to seeing the reward of His appearing.
Pray my strength.
Be wonderfully blessed!
By: Rebecca on February 1, 2012
at 12:42 pm
And, as usual, your comments are such a blessing and an encouragement to me, Sis. Rebecca. It thrills me to know that God used this blog as confirmation that you should continue obeying Him, even in the midst of obstacles. When we submit to Him and walk out His plan despite obstacles and hindrances, this brings Him much glory and is a powerful witness to the watching world! I will be praying along with you for the grace it takes to keep walking by faith.
By: peacepublishing on February 1, 2012
at 12:54 pm
Thank you for that word of encouragement, Nicole. Keep ministering for Jesus!
By: Rhonda J. Smith on February 2, 2012
at 3:23 pm
Thank you Min. Rhonda! I so appreciate your encouragement! You do the same.:)
By: peacepublishing on February 2, 2012
at 7:46 pm