I remember Dr TL saying he had a revelation in that moment concerning the power and special privilege God has given human beings to speak and have a voice in this world. He continued to share concerning the power of words; that our words are like a seed that is sown into the hearts and lives of the hearers, that will produce a harvest in due season.
As God’s children, we are God’s representatives in this world and God has given us the privilege of speaking on his behalf. As humans we can have our struggles with our confidence in God and in ourselves, when it comes to issues like speaking on behalf of God. The story of Moses delivering the children of Israel from bondage, illustrates this so well.
In Exodus 3, Moses was on the edge of the desert and he turned aside to have a look at a bush that burned with fire. I’m sure it must have been an incredible sight. Moses must have stood there in a state of awe as he beheld the fire of God and listened to the Voice that spoke from the midst of the fire.
God gave His instructions; he wanted Moses to deliver the children of Israel and Moses felt completely inadequate. He said in Exodus 3:11 “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Moses had been a powerful Prince of Egypt, but for the past forty years he had lived in the wilderness herding sheep. He was a man humbled by life.
The Bible says in Numbers 12:3 “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” That’s quite a claim the Bible is making and I’m sure Moses great fall from prominence had created this humility in his life. He now felt like he was no-one and had nothing to offer anyone.
Because of the way he responded, it’s apparent Moses didn’t really know who he was dealing with. When God Almighty shows up like this and gives you very specific instructions, He’s really saying in effect, “look this has very little to do with you or your ability and has everything to do with My calling, My choosing and My ability!”
Then in verse 18 Moses says “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, the God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, What is His name? What shall I tell them?” In Chapter 4:1 He says “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say ‘the Lord did not appear to you?”
At this point Moses was having doubts about who God was and whether people would think He was crazy! In our western society today there is a notion that it’s OK to talk to God, but as soon as you start to claim you’re hearing His voice, it might be time to consider having you committed to an insane asylum! Moses’ concerns weren’t too dissimilar to the ones we might have today.
Moses was as human as you and I are; he knew there would be doubters. He was really struggling and at every point God reassured Him. God was preparing Moses, encouraging him, coaching him to be a voice to his generation!
Then in verse 11 Moses says “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” Moses doubted his ability to speak, he had some serious confidence issues. He was focused on what he could do instead of what God could do through him.
Finally when Moses ran out of excuses he simply said in verse 13: “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” Verse 14 tells us “Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses …” Now it’s OK to express your doubts to God about your own ability and His ability – just don’t push him too far! God believed in Moses and Moses wasn’t getting the message!
God was determined to use Moses to speak on His behalf and eventually Moses went to Pharaoh with God’s message. As He did, Moses’ voice became God’s voice! Every time Moses spoke, miracles happened. Eventually an entire nation of approximately two million people were set free from slavery and oppression.
Maybe today you are wondering about your ability to speak on God’s behalf. God wants to give you a voice. His voice. I remember when I studied at Seminary at Oral Roberts University, we were all taught something which God had spoken to the great Evangelist and founder, Oral Roberts:
“Raise up your students to hear My voice, to go where My light is seen dim, where My voice is heard small, where My power is not known, even to the uttermost bounds of the earth. Their work will exceed yours, and in this I am well pleased.”
Today I want to encourage you, in every sphere of life, the voice of God needs to be heard through you! In the business world, the political arena, in education, medicine, every sphere of life. God wants you to have a voice; a voice that makes an impact for the Kingdom of God.
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