Overcoming Doubts with God

God's Equipping: Moses and the Staff

Main Text: Exodus 4:1-17 (AMP)

GOD IS NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO WHAT HE HAS NOT EQUIPPED YOU FOR

GOD IS NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF YOUR ABILITY TO PERFORM with Him – Philippians 4:13

GOD WILL NEVER ASK YOU TO DO SOMETHING THAT HE HAS EMPOWERED YOU TO DO – Ephesians 3:20

GOD WILL NOT ASK YOU TO DO WHAT HE DOESN'T ALREADY KNOW THE END OF IT

• Where God Gives Vision He Will Provide Provision
• Remind Yourself That You're Just A Vessel Being Used by God
• OFTEN THE BIGGEST STRUGGLE IS THE 9 INCHES BETWEEN OUR EARS

ARE YOU THE BIGGEST HURDLE IN BECOMING WHO GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO BE?

In chapter 3, God gives Moses some instructions from a burning bush.

• I've seen the oppression of my people
• I want you to go speak on my behalf
• Tell them that I am that I am sent you
• Moses struggles with the concept

Moses' First Objection: "What if they don't believe me?"

Exodus 4:1 (AMP) Then Moses answered [the Lord] and said, "What if they will not believe me or take seriously what I say? For they may say, 'The Lord has not appeared to you.'"

• All of us will deal with the what if's? Of life
• Jesus said, there are no if's with God

Mark 9:23 (MSG) Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen."

I believe at some point and time in our lives we all wrestle with feelings of inadequacy as Moses did

We must be reminded that what God has called you to, He has equipped you for

Let me remind you of who you are

Genesis 1:26 (AMP) Then God said, "Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority

Psalms 139:14 (AMP) I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 82:6 (AMP) I said, "You are gods; Indeed, all of you are sons of the Most High

John 10:34 (AMP) Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods [human judges representing God, not divine beings]'?

Exodus 7:1-5 (AMP) Then the Lord said to Moses, "Now hear this: I make you as God to Pharaoh [to declare My will and purpose to him]; and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet.

• No person has ever been called to a divine mission without the anointing of the Spirit to accomplish what he has been called to do
• Moses' reluctance and fear were caused by over anticipation.
• He was worried about how the people might respond to him.
• We often build up events in our minds and then become anxious over what might go wrong.
• God does not ask us to go where he has not provided the means to help.
• Go where he leads, trusting him to supply courage, confidence, and resources at the right moment.

The Staff: God Uses What You Have

Exodus 4:2-4 (AMP) And the Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?" And he said, "A staff." Then He said, "Throw it on the ground." So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a [living] serpent [like the royal symbol on the crown of Pharaoh]; and Moses ran from it. But the Lord said to Moses, "Reach out your hand and grasp it by the tail." So he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand—

• The key thing I want you to understand is God will use anything
• And it's often closer than we think
• A shepherd's staff was commonly a three- to six-foot wooden rod with a curved hook at the top.
• The shepherd used it for walking, guiding the sheep, killing snakes, and many other tasks.
• But God used the simple shepherd's staff Moses carried as a sign to teach him an important lesson.
• God sometimes takes joy in using ordinary things for extraordinary purposes.
• What are the ordinary things in your life—your voice, a pen, a hammer, a broom, a phone, a musical instrument?

Exodus 4:5 (AMP) ["You shall do this," said the Lord,] "so that the elders may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has [most certainly] appeared to you."

Numbers 23:19 (NLT) God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

• The purpose of all miracles, is for people to believe and add to their faith

John 14:12-15 (AMP) I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name [as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it.

The Sign of Leprosy: God's Power Over All

Exodus 4:6-7 (AMP) The Lord also said to him, "Put your hand into your robe [where it covers your chest]." So he put his hand into his robe, and when he took it out, his hand was leprous, as white as snow. Then God said, "Put your hand into your robe again." So he put his hand back into his robe, and when he took it out, it was restored [and was] like the rest of his body.

• This severe skin disease was a form of leprosy, one of the most feared diseases of this time.
• No cure was available, and a great deal of suffering preceded eventual death.
• Through this experience, Moses learned that God could cause or cure any kind of problem.

Ephesians 3:20 (AMP) Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,

Genesis 18:13-14 (MSG) God said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh saying, 'Me? Have a baby? An old woman like me?' Is anything too hard for God? I'll be back about this time next year and Sarah will have a baby."

Matthew 19:26 (AMP) But Jesus looked at them and said, "With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

Moses' Second Objection: "I'm not eloquent"

Exodus 4:8-11 (AMP) "If they will not believe you or pay attention to the evidence of the first sign, they may believe the evidence of the second sign. But if they will not believe these two signs or pay attention to what you say, you are to take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground; and the water which you take out of the river will turn into blood on the dry ground." Then Moses said to the Lord, "Please, Lord, I am not a man of words (eloquent, fluent), neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue." The Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, or the seeing or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord?

• The greatest lesson for all to learn is that there is no impossibility with God
• If He made the facilities He can also use them

Philippians 4:13 (AMP) I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

1 Corinthians 2:9 (AMP) but just as it is written [in Scripture], "Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed]."

Moses' Third Objection: "Send someone else"

Exodus 4:12-14 (AMP) Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and will teach you what you shall say." But he said, "Please my Lord, send the message [of rescue to Israel] by [someone else,] whomever else You will [choose]."

• God looked at Moses' problem quite differently.
• God had made his mouth and would give him the words to say.
• It is easy for us to focus on our weaknesses, but if God asks us to do something, then he will help us get the job done.
• If the job involves some of our weak areas, then we can trust that he will provide words, strength, courage, and ability where needed.

Then the anger of the Lord was kindled and burned against Moses; He said, "Is there not your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. Also, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be overjoyed.

• God finally agreed to let Aaron speak for Moses.
• Moses' feelings of inadequacy were so strong that he could not trust even God's ability to help him.
• Moses had to deal with his deep sense of inadequacy many times.
• When we face difficult or frightening situations, we must be willing to let God help us.

God's Vindication of Moses

Numbers 12:1-8 (NLT) While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. They said, "Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn't he spoken through us, too?" But the Lord heard them. (Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.) So immediately the Lord called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, "Go out to the Tabernacle, all three of you!" So the three of them went to the Tabernacle. Then the Lord descended in the pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle. "Aaron and Miriam!" he called, and they stepped forward. And the Lord said to them, "Now listen to what I say: "If there were prophets among you, I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions. I would speak to them in dreams. But not with my servant Moses. Of all my house, he is the one I trust. I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! He sees the Lord as he is. So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?"

God's Solution: Aaron as Spokesman

Exodus 4:15-17 (AMP) You must speak to him and put the words in his mouth; I, even I, will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do. Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; he will act as a mouthpiece for you, and you will be as God to him [telling him what I say to you].

• The phrase "you will stand in the place of God for him" means that Moses would tell Aaron what to say as God was telling him.

You shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs [the miracles which prove I sent you]."

• Moses clung tightly to the shepherd's staff as he left for Egypt to face the greatest challenge of his life.
• The staff was his assurance of God's presence and power.
• When feeling uncertain, some people need something to stabilize and reassure them.
• To assure us when we are facing great trials, God has given promises from his Word and examples from great heroes of faith.
• As we grow in faith, we will outgrow our need for physical or temporary assurances and be able to trust God's Word alone.

The Staff in Action

Exodus 14:15-16 (AMP) The Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to move forward [toward the sea]. As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the sons of Israel may go through the middle of the sea on dry land.

Isaiah 64:8 (AMP) Yet, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our Potter, And we all are the work of Your hand.

Discussion Questions

1. Moses asked "What if they don't believe me?" What "what ifs" are holding you back from stepping into what God has called you to do?
2. The message states that "often the biggest struggle is the 9 inches between our ears." How can our own minds become the greatest obstacle to fulfilling God's purpose for our lives?
3. God asked Moses, "What is that in your hand?" What ordinary tools, talents, or resources has God already placed in your hands that He might want to use for extraordinary purposes?
4. Moses felt inadequate because he wasn't eloquent, yet God reminded him, "Who made man's mouth?" What perceived weaknesses or disabilities are you allowing to define your ability to serve God?
5. The passage says "God does not ask us to go where he has not provided the means to help." Can you recall a time when God provided exactly what you needed at the right moment?
6. Moses was so consumed by his inadequacy that even God's promises weren't enough to convince him. How can we move from doubt to trust when God calls us to do something difficult?
7. God eventually provided Aaron to speak for Moses, but later Numbers 12 shows God defending Moses as the one He trusted most. What does this teach us about how God can transform our weaknesses over time?
8. The staff became Moses' physical assurance of God's presence and power. What are some "staffs" (tangible reminders of God's faithfulness) in your life that help stabilize you during trials?
9. Reflecting on Philippians 4:13, how does understanding that you can do "all things which He has called me to do" change your perspective on current challenges?
10. The message asks: "Are you the biggest hurdle in becoming who God has called you to be?" How would you honestly answer this question, and what steps can you take to get out of your own way?

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