"TRUST AND OBEY!"

Exodus 4:10-12                   (ESV)
"10 But Moses said to the LORD, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue."
11 Then the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."


The LORD speaks to me in various ways.  Through scripture mainly, but also through devotionals that are emailed to me and social media.  If in Numbers 22:28 GOD used a donkey to deliver HIS message, HE can use any modern means to deliver HIS instructions to me.

This morning my devotional from Dr. Charles Stanley was one that was RIGHT on time!  Moses wanted to tell GOD how unable he was to perform the tasks GOD had in his future.  But GOD was going to do the heavy lifting!  HE only needed someone to "TRUST AND OBEY" HIS directions!

I am sharing the devotional from Dr. Charles Stanley as it has spoken to me in a tremendous way.  I pray it will speak to you also as you serve HIM!

Breaking Down the Faith Barrier

Exodus 4:1-13

A faith barrier is made up of 'attitudes' that short-circuit our trust and prevent us from OBEYING the Lord's will. A NEGATIVE SELF IMAGE can hinder us in this way, as can ignorance of God's character and promises. Three other attitudes can also trip us up: DOUBT, feelings of INADEQUACY, and FEAR OF FAILURE.

Moses DOUBTED that the Israelites would believe he had been chosen by the Lord to lead them. But GOD graciously provided reassurance--in the form of evidence that HE could accomplish everything HE'd promised (Ex. 4:1-5). When DOUBT invades our minds, it can be overcome with "diligent study" of Scripture and persistent prayer, which will dislodge uncertainty and replace it with biblical truth.

Moses wasn't eloquent, and a perceived lack of skill left him feeling inadequate for the job--HE WAS AFRAID trying to speak would make him stumble. GOD patiently reassured him of divine help in that task. The LORD often chooses unlikely people to carry out HIS plan because HE looks at the heart, not human qualifications (1 Sam. 16:7). HE can overcome all our inadequacies.

Sadly, Moses did not embrace what God promised but instead asked to be relieved of the assignment. A FEAR OF FAILURE can prevent us from saying yes to the LORD.

Carrying out GOD's will requires a heart that trusts HIM, a soul that steps out in obedience, AND A MIND THAT LEAVES SUCCESS OR FAILURE TO HIM. As we break down the faith barrier, we will be able to see the evidence of GOD's presence and power--and experience the joy of obedience.