When Fear Steps In — Midian pt II

God tells Moses all the things He wants to do for Moses then tells him he is to lead the people out of slavery. At this point Moses objects. I can only imagine the questions and the fears running through his mind. Thus far everything in the conversation was risk-free. Now he had the option of crazy adventure that came with hardship or staying in Midian the rest of his life.

If Moses accepts the call, everything will change. Growing up in the palace he knew what Pharaoh was like. The last time he was in Egypt he killed a man and had to flee for his life. Returning to Egypt is returning to a death sentence and the charge of insurrection for trying to lead a people group out of Egypt. He was also in the desert for forty years and was coming back to civilization saying he had met with God. He would sound like a crazy person.

However, instead of being accused of insurrection he could stay in Midian. He was content there. He was part of a family and had a family of his own. He was content leading sheep around the desert. The Egyptians and Hebrews already rejected him. He would be returning to two cultures he thought he would never interact with again.

God's response to Moses’ fear is “But I will be with you...” He gives Moses a sign, power to back up what He is saying. God’s words always come with power. Moses isn’t going into this by himself. When he is still fearful God says the elders of Israel will go with him and will listen to him. However, Moses’ fear is not quieted. He still doubts God despite the promises of success.

 God does not get angry at Moses for doubting God’s promises. He gives Moses several signs to prove he met with God. God was definitely having fun with these. Moses throws his staff on the ground and it turns into a snake. He responds in the same way I would—he runs from it. I wonder how long it took Moses to pick up his staff again. God then tells him to put his hand into his cloak and it turns leprous. Again, another freaking out, what-are-you-doing! moment. God says that if the people don’t believe these he can always turn water from the Nile into blood.

Now Moses’ complaint isn’t that the people will not listen to him but that he does not have the capability to speak. At this point God gets angry. Growing up in the palace Moses was trained in public speaking. He also knew how to speak to Pharaoh. Despite his training, Moses still did not want to do it.

I seem to be standing near a crossroads right now where I could walk faithfully toward what I believe God is calling me or I could again yield to fear. I’ve seen God hand opportunities to other people when I say no out of fear. I don’t want that to be the case anymore. It only leaves me with regret and more fear. I worry that I am no longer following plan A but moved to plan B or Z. My worry goes directly against all God has said; in fact, do not worry is even a command in the Bible. When I am staring my fears in the eye I need to take my eyes off themand turn my eyes toward God. Focusing on fear is idolatry. I’m saying it is more powerful than God and deserves my attention.

If I keep saying no I will be living as a shepherd in the desert forever, but if I say yes to God I know there is great adventure awaiting. It will be hard and I do not see the full extent of what I am agreeing to, but I also know there is great joy that comes with it that will greatly outweigh everything else. We may take a detour in the desert, but it is there that God renews and refines us. He doesn’t leave us there but will bring us out of the desert into the calling He placed in our hearts.