Beth Grider 
God often gives me the same Scripture multiple times to ensure that I will get it. In the same way that I have to tell my kids the same thing over and over (and over), God knows that He has to remind me of the same thing over and over. He desires for me to not just hear His word, but to allow it to change me. So, when I hear or read the same passage multiple times within a short time, I am eager to dig in and see what God has to say. Then, I am ready to share what I have learned with others! Let’s take a look.
“Therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.” (Exodus 3:10-12)
This is a very familiar and rich Scripture passage. In this portion, God calls Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt and Moses responds by asking God, “Who am I…” At this point, Moses recognized that he wasn’t strong or able to bring the people out. Moses seems to have some doubt about God’s plan. But, even more importantly, Moses displays humility. He’s not sure that he is the best choice for God’s plan. Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth (Numbers 12:3). We should take a lesson in humility from Moses. Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor (Prov. 16:12). Moses spent his first forty years of life in the palace as the Prince of Egypt. Yet, he had the desire to see his people liberated from their oppression. That desire prompted Moses to kill an Egyptian who was mistreating a fellow Israelite (Ex. 2:11-12). Which caused Moses to flee to Midian, where he spent the next forty years as shepherd. What a humbling experience! Moses went from a prince to a fugitive to a shepherd. Recognizing his own failures, Moses asked God, “Who am I?” Moses must have wondered, “God, do you know who I am? Do you know that I am a murder…fugitive…shepherd?” God knew exactly who Moses and he was at the best place to be used by God knows exactly who you are, as well. There is nothing in your past that God doesn’t already know about! There is no mistake that it hidden from God and no mistake that God can’t redeem. Despite your past, God calls you and desires to use you.
God responded to Moses’ question with patience and love. God didn’t tell Moses that He knew exactly who he was and what he had done. Nor did God explain to Moses why He had chosen to use him. God gave Moses the assurance he needed by reminding him that God would be with him. While Moses had the passion to set the Israelites free, his first attempt was in his own strength and way. It didn’t go well! This time, God told Moses to deliver His people from Egypt. God was sending Moses to Pharaoh, but He wasn’t sending Moses on his own. Now that Moses was ready to rely on God’s strength, God would be with him. As you know, Moses couldn’t have led the people out of Egypt without the display of God’s power! God prepared Moses to rescue and lead His people.
God is just as patient and loving with you, as He was with Moses. He knows that you have doubts and that you question your ability. He also knows that our own strength is one of our biggest weaknesses. God chooses to use the humble and He will patiently wait for you to grow in humility. (After all, He waited forty years for Moses!) God gives you the passion to do what He is calling you to do! If you have failed before, know that He will prepare you in time to rely on His strength. Be ready, when He calls.
