God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations. Exodus 3:15
“I cannot do this on my own” is a common thought we have when God calls us to take big steps of faith. Indeed, we were not meant to live life on our own, let alone take the steps of faith that He has called us to take on our own. When God calls us to take any step of faith, small or large, He promises that He will be with us every step of the way, and His presence makes all the difference.
When God called Moses to rescue the Israelites from slavery in Egypt in Exodus 3, Moses was understandably a bit fearful. He responded to God's call, saying, "Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?" (verse 11). God's response to Moses' questions was remarkable. He said, "I will be with you" (verse 12). Do not miss the magnitude of this answer from God. He would be with Moses. He would go with Moses as he told Pharaoh to free the Israelites from slavery. He promised His presence, which should have brought Moses much comfort and peace. You see, because God was with Moses, Moses could be confident of God's protection. He could be sure that what He wanted to accomplish would be accomplished. He could let go of fear and trust God with the results of completing this assignment.
Hundreds of years later, Someone far greater than Moses would come. The long-awaited Messiah would come to rescue the entire world from sin and death. And do you know what one of His names would be? He would be called Emmanuel: God with us (Matthew 1:23). Indeed, God is with us today. May you take comfort that God is with you. Because of His presence, you do not have to fear. You can walk confidently, knowing that He is with you every step of the way. Hold on to the promise of His presence today.
Take time now to reflect. Write down the answer to this question: How does the knowledge of God’s presence impact you as you think about taking the steps of faith that He is calling you to take? After reflecting, pray. Thank God for the gift of His presence with each step of life that you take.
1One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. 3 “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.”
4 When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
“Here I am!” Moses replied.
5 “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. 6 I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.
7 Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. 9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”
