Text: Exodus 4:10-17
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” —2 Corinthians 12:9
In an episode of the TV sitcom, The Office, Michael Scott offers a humorously self-serving accounting of his weaknesses as a boss: “I work too hard, I care too much, and sometimes I can be too invested in my job.” Asked to list his strengths, he replies, “Well, my weaknesses are actually strengths.”
Moses was no stranger to the paradox of strengths being found in weakness.
God had big plans for Moses. Yet, when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses didn’t see himself as the right person for the job. He was hesitant, not because of his lack of faith in God, but because he felt inadequate in his own abilities. His speech impediment made him feel unqualified to speak on God’s behalf. Moses’ response was, “I am slow of speech and of tongue.”
Rewind the tape 40 years and it is clear Moses was not slow of speech and slow of tongue, as Acts 7:22 tells us “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.” The word “mighty” implies exceptional qualities, such as possessing great and impressive power or strength. But a lot had changed for Moses since those days of high acclaim.
After spending the middle forty years of his life in exile working as a shepherd for Jethro, Moses had seen a lot of lonely days just taking care of sheep. But it was in this obscure season of life where Moses was being stripped of all his self-confidence to make way for a new kind of God-confidence. Such is the process for all whom God uses to accomplish things bigger than themselves. And the bigger the purpose, the deeper the stripping process might go to eliminate our self-reliance.
Many of us, like Moses, have areas in our lives where we feel insufficient. We may feel unqualified for the tasks or roles we are called to, or we may struggle with certain weaknesses—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—that make us doubt our ability to accomplish what God has purposed. But in Moses’ story, we see a powerful truth: When God calls us, He has already factored in our weaknesses and inadequacies. Matter of fact, He chooses us because of them, and 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 explains the reason why. It is so we will always boast in the Lord with our accomplishments, rather than boasting in ourselves.
When Moses hesitated, God’s response was simple: “I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Moses’ stammering speech was not a barrier to God’s plan—it became the space where God’s glory was displayed the most. And so it will be in your areas of weakness and inadequacy. God will use that space to show off His strength and magnify His power in you and through you for his glory. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us even in our weaknesses. We confess that sometimes we doubt our ability to accomplish the tasks You set before us. We ask that You would equip us, just as You equipped Moses, to fulfill Your purposes. Help us to trust in Your timing, Your strength, and Your guidance. May our weaknesses be an opportunity for Your power to shine. We trust You to lead us in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:
- When have you felt like you were in a season of exile?
- In what ways do you feel inadequate or insufficient about God’s calling on your life?
- What weaknesses or struggles do you believe are holding you back from trusting God wholly?
- Reflect on those feelings and surrender them to God. Trust that He will equip you with strength in weakness to accomplish His purposes.
- Take a step forward in faith, even if you feel unsure. Just as God promised to be with Moses, He promises to be with you as you obey His call.
Text: Exodus 4:10-17
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” —2 Corinthians 12:9
In an episode of the TV sitcom, The Office, Michael Scott offers a humorously self-serving accounting of his weaknesses as a boss: “I work too hard, I care too much, and sometimes I can be too invested in my job.” Asked to list his strengths, he replies, “Well, my weaknesses are actually strengths.”
Moses was no stranger to the paradox of strengths being found in weakness.
God had big plans for Moses. Yet, when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses didn’t see himself as the right person for the job. He was hesitant, not because of his lack of faith in God, but because he felt inadequate in his own abilities. His speech impediment made him feel unqualified to speak on God’s behalf. Moses’ response was, “I am slow of speech and of tongue.”
Rewind the tape 40 years and it is clear Moses was not slow of speech and slow of tongue, as Acts 7:22 tells us “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.” The word “mighty” implies exceptional qualities, such as possessing great and impressive power or strength. But a lot had changed for Moses since those days of high acclaim.
After spending the middle forty years of his life in exile working as a shepherd for Jethro, Moses had seen a lot of lonely days just taking care of sheep. But it was in this obscure season of life where Moses was being stripped of all his self-confidence to make way for a new kind of God-confidence. Such is the process for all whom God uses to accomplish things bigger than themselves. And the bigger the purpose, the deeper the stripping process might go to eliminate our self-reliance.
Many of us, like Moses, have areas in our lives where we feel insufficient. We may feel unqualified for the tasks or roles we are called to, or we may struggle with certain weaknesses—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—that make us doubt our ability to accomplish what God has purposed. But in Moses’ story, we see a powerful truth: When God calls us, He has already factored in our weaknesses and inadequacies. Matter of fact, He chooses us because of them, and 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 explains the reason why. It is so we will always boast in the Lord with our accomplishments, rather than boasting in ourselves.
When Moses hesitated, God’s response was simple: “I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Moses’ stammering speech was not a barrier to God’s plan—it became the space where God’s glory was displayed the most. And so it will be in your areas of weakness and inadequacy. God will use that space to show off His strength and magnify His power in you and through you for his glory. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us even in our weaknesses. We confess that sometimes we doubt our ability to accomplish the tasks You set before us. We ask that You would equip us, just as You equipped Moses, to fulfill Your purposes. Help us to trust in Your timing, Your strength, and Your guidance. May our weaknesses be an opportunity for Your power to shine. We trust You to lead us in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion: