“But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” (Exodus 4: 10-12 NLT).

There has been so much to digest, particularly over the past few days after witnessing the devastation that transpired and has actually been brewing for quite some time. Nevertheless, in processing the recent events and spending quiet time with the Lord, He gave me John 8:32, “and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Truth. Wow, what a word!! What we witnessed was a culmination of the belief in lies that were perpetuated repeatedly and a disbelief in the truth. While looking externally is essential, because we cannot walk around with blinders on, and while accountability and justice are necessary, introspection is what God desires of us too. He does use even what seems to be the absolute worst of circumstances that we see and experience to not only change others, but to more importantly change us. 

So, let’s take a look at our brother Moses. In Exodus 3:10, God had just told Moses that He was sending Moses to Pharaoh, and he (Moses) was to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  There was more dialogue between Moses and God, and then we come our key passage.  “But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” (Exodus 4: 10-12 NLT).

Even though Moses had just seen the angel of the Lord appear to him through the burning bush that was not consumed, he chose to believe a lie. Despite Moses witnessing God turn his staff into a snake AND convert it back to a staff, he kept believing a lie.  Despite Moses witnessing his hand become leprous after putting his hand in his cloak per God’s instructions, and God restoring his hand, he continued to believe a lie. Moses believed that his perceived weakness of not being good with words would hinder him from going forward to do what God had just told him that He was going to equip him to do. Moses believed a lie over the truth of God’s very words. WOW!! After God got angry with Moses’s disbelief in His words, He did use Aaron to assist with speaking on Moses’s behalf, and we know how the story ends with Moses and Aaron going forward with the help of the Lord, the truth prevailing, and ultimately the freedom of the Israelites from the enslavement of the Egyptians. Praise God using Moses and Aaron despite Moses’s reluctance!

So, let’s replace Moses’s name with our own, because like Moses, we struggle to believe the truth of God’s word, particularly when what God says for us to do is not within our comfort zone or perceived skill set. There is so much darkness in the world, and God is calling each of us to use the light that He placed within us to overcome evil with His goodness.  We dim and sometimes flat out extinguish our lights by believing a lie. How often do we believe the lies of the enemy to the point where we do not do or say what the Lord is calling us to?  The lie that, “I am not good enough.” “No one will listen to me.”  “I am too old or I am too young.” The lie that, “My past defines who I am,” or “I am not qualified.” They are all lies, our Father is requiring more of us, AND He has and will continue to equip us with EVERYTHING that we need to go forward with what He is calling us to do.

Stop focusing on who you are and focus on who God is. The time is now to shift your focus. Do not delay. No more excuses. Believe the truth! His grace is sufficient. His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Think bigger because God is bigger. God is limitless. If God is confident in the abilities that He has placed in you, you should be too. Trust Him! Lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6). Let His word be a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path as Psalm 119:105 states. Stomp all over the lies of the enemy and move swiftly and boldly into the calling that Our Father, God is calling you to. The time is now and the truth is… with God, yes you can!

For further assurance of God’s truths, please review the additional scriptures below.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).

“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” (1 John 4:4 NLT).

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV).

“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 NLT).

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).

Reflect & Relate

What assignment is God calling you to that you have been struggling with moving forward in due to lies of the enemy?

What lies has the enemy been telling you in an attempt to stop you from operating in your assignment?

What truths can you glean from each verse to help you move forward with boldness to fulfill your God ordained purpose and assignment in this season?

How will your obedience to God’s call make a difference in the world and the kingdom?

Let Us Pray

Dear God, my Father… Thank you so much for reminding me of the truth of your word.  Thank you for reminding me that if you have called me to something, you have already equipped me to operate in and complete the work to which I have been called. Thank you for reminding me that your power is made perfect in weakness. Please forgive me for the times that I believe the lies of the enemy instead of the truth of your word. I ask that you replace that doubt and disbelief with complete faith and confidence in you. Continue to remind me that because you have called me to this assignment, because you reside within me, and because all power belongs to you, I can accomplish every assignment that you set before me. I do want to let my light shine before men and women so that they can see my good works, and I can glorify you, my Father who is in heaven.  I love and praise your mighty name.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Please be sure to check out Quinnise’s new book, “A Glimpse of Our Father: Lessons Parenthood Reveals for All of God’s Children.”