Daily Devotionals

PUT GOD IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT Week 1: Wednesday

But Moses protested to God, "Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?" God answered, "I will be with you. Exodus 3:11-12

One thing I love about kids is that they are usually extremely honest. They tell the truth even when the truth is hard. For example, when they do not want to do something, they do not want to come up with an excuse for why they can't do it. They simply say, "I do not want to!" Somehow, as children get older and become adults, they learn to start making excuses for things they are scared to do, feel unequipped to do, or do not want to do. If we are not careful, we can let excuses hold us back. Even more, these excuses can hold us back from the things God has called us to do.  

Moses certainly made a fair share of excuses when God called Him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt in Exodus 2. When God came to Him and spoke to him through a burning bush, He told Moses to go to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Immediately, Moses began making excuses. He said to God, "Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?" (verse 11). God responded, "I will be with you" (verse 12). In the midst of Moses' excuses, God promised His presence. He promises His presence to us today, too. When we seek to obey His commands, He is with us. He is with us as He is in the driver's seat of our lives. His presence makes all the difference. It means protection, provision, and peace. There is no room for excuses when we have God's presence. God spoke straight to Moses' excuses and gave Him the peace and assurance He needed.

When it comes to putting God in the driver's seat of our lives, are you making excuses? Are you making excuses when it comes to following His direction? Maybe you feel like you are not qualified. Maybe you believe the outcome of your following and obedience will end in danger or disappointment. It is time to trust God and believe in His presence. God is always with us, and He can be trusted. His power is infinitely greater than ours. He has complete control; we do not. He is the one we want with us as we walk through challenges and uncertainties. Will you let go of your excuses and turn to Him today?

Moving toward action

Yesterday, you were challenged to acknowledge the task that God has called you to do that you have been avoiding. Think about that task now. What excuses have you been giving? Name them now. Confess them to God and ask for Him to help you let go of excuses and choose obedience instead.  

Going Deeper

Going Deeper - Exodus 3:11-22

"But Moses protested to God, "Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?"

12 God answered, "I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain."

13 But Moses protested, "If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' they will ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what should I tell them?"

14 God replied to Moses, "I am who i am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you." 15 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.

16 "Now go and call together all the elders of Israel. Tell them, 'Yahweh, the God of your ancestors-the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-has appeared to me. He told me, "I have been watching closely, and I see how the Egyptians are treating you. 17 I have promised to rescue you from your oppression in Egypt. I will lead you to a land flowing with milk and honey-the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live."'

18 "The elders of Israel will accept your message. Then you and the elders must go to the king of Egypt and tell him, 'The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord, our God.'

19 "But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand forces him. 20 So I will raise my hand and strike the Egyptians, performing all kinds of miracles among them. Then at last he will let you go. 21 And I will cause the Egyptians to look favorably on you. They will give you gifts when you go so you will not leave empty-handed. 22 Every Israelite woman will ask for articles of silver and gold and fine clothing from her Egyptian neighbors and from the foreign women in their houses. You will dress your sons and daughters with these, stripping the Egyptians of their wealth."