Tuesday, March 18, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Exodus 3:1–12

Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 

Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” 

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He said, “I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.” (NRSV) 

Reflection

A burning bush! Don’t you wish you had a burning bush every time you needed undivided attention?

No wonder God used a burning bush to get Moses’ attention. During the Israelites’ suffering in Egypt I’m sure there were daily cries and prayers for deliverance. Was God too busy to tend to their prayers? Seriously?

What would you do if you were Moses? Out of the blue, God appears and gives him a Herculean task.  

Why him? Especially after life has dealt him such an odd set of circumstances. First, he was raised believing he was the Pharaoh’s daughter’s son. Deceived. Then he was rejected by “his people,” the Israelites, when he tried to liberate them. Failure. Witnessing years of his people suffering in Egypt. Despair.

Now God appears to him? And gives him this monumental task? Seriously? “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

I think the lesson here is that when God calls on you, first, do not be afraid (Angel Gabriel is notorious for this phrase). Second, never question “Why me?” Set aside your insecurities, as God knows better than you what you are capable of. Third, trust that God is always with you and would never set you up for failure. Believe and embrace life’s journey knowing God is always walking with you.

We know how Moses’ story ends. Moses’ life was filled with more drama and challenges than most of us face, and look how his story ultimately unfolded. He led his people to the Promised Land. He completed the task asked of him. So there. Let’s dive into our own missions confidently trusting that God keeps God’s covenant with us, that God always keeps God’s promises — albeit on God’s timeline, not ours.

Prayer
Gracious and loving God. Help me to not be afraid when you call on me. And I promise to remember that my prayers will be answered — not on my timeline but yours. Amen.

Written by Toni Yang, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email