"I will be with you"

There is a passage in Exodus 3 that has been on my mind a lot recently.  God has come to Moses in the burning bush and has told him that he will go and lead Israel out of slavery in Egypt.  Moses first question to God is "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

Now, I've heard many sermons and teachings on Moses that tell of how God prepared him.  How Moses spent 40 years in Pharaoh's household so he knew Egypt and how to work there.  And how Moses lead sheep in the wilderness for 40 years so he knew how to lead large groups.  These teachings say that Moses was prepared and ready to lead God's people out of Egypt.

But when Moses asks God, "Who am I," God's response is not, "Well, Moses you're actually really prepared."  God's response to Moses is, "I will be with you."  And what we realize is that Moses was completely incapable of doing this task, but all that he needed to know was that God was with him.  And that was enough.

It's the same story in Judges 6.  When the angel of the Lord comes to Gideon and tells him that he will rescue Israel from the Midianites Gideon asks, "How can I save Israel...I am the least in my family?"  And the Lord's response is not about how qualified Gideon is.  His response is, "I will be with you."


Take heart, friends, because what you are doing for the Lord is beyond your ability.  Because of your brokenness and sin you are incapable of any task God gives you.  But know that if He is with you, then you need nothing else.  If He is with you, you have all the power in the universe.  If He is with you, then you can shake the nations for His glory.  If He is with you, then all things are possible.

So, today claim His promise, "I will be with you."