For He Sends You

BY Jen Yokel

Scripture Reading:  Exodus 3:1-14, Psalm 46:1-7, Luke 12:11-12, 1 Peter 5:6-11

I’ve heard the story of Moses and the burning bush my whole life, but earlier this year I heard a teacher highlight a fascinating detail. In the wilderness, a bush on fire probably wasn’t that big of a deal. Brush fires would have been a common sight in the hot, dry climate. But dry kindling burns up quickly, and this bush didn’t. We can imagine Moses watched it long enough to decide it was worth investigating.

A shepherd in the wilderness paying attention, approaching, hearing a voice, and humbly responding “Here I am” is the beginning of an invitation, the first step on a journey that has inspired diverse communities for centuries. And yet, our main character isn’t exactly a hero. Instead, he’s barefoot and trembling, hiding his face “because he was afraid to look at God” (Exodus 3:6). 

It’s no coincidence that Moses meets the Almighty in this dramatic way. God knew the misery of His people in Egypt, and had a plan. “I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt,” He said (v.10). 

Remember, Moses knew Egypt. After killing an Egyptian to protect a slave, he ran away and was making a decent new life. When he responded to God with fear and skepticism, God spoke these words that changed everything:

“I will certainly be with you” (v.12).

No doubt we’ve all had times in life where we had to face something hard. Maybe it was a confrontation, defending another person who’d been harmed. Perhaps it was facing a frightening diagnosis or accepting an overwhelming new job. In these moments, we can feel afraid, unqualified, or certain we’ll fail. Like Moses, we can wrestle with our decisions and come up with a whole list of questions that amount to, “Seriously God, me? What are you thinking?”.

And honestly, did God even need Moses to free His people? Couldn’t God have just zapped their chains and walked them out of Egypt? Perhaps, but the beauty of the story is precisely that God invites Moses—and us today—to participate in the grander tale of redemption. Most importantly, we don’t have to do it alone. God comes alongside us as our helper, “our refuge and strength” (Psalm 46:1).

It’s a story that stretches from Moses in the desert all the way to Jesus Christ preparing His disciples for hard times. When you feel afraid or unqualified, He says, “Don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said” (Luke 12:11–12). 

When the time comes to do hard things, it’s human nature to be afraid. But rest in the truth that you never go alone. God will certainly always be with you.

Written by Jen Yokel