The Bible is full of people who made excuses when God asked them to do something. Moses told God that he had a stutter and couldn’t talk to Pharaoh. When Gideon was called a mighty warrior and told to go rescue Israel, he countered that he was from the weakest tribe and the least important family. Even after Jeremiah was told God knew him and called him to be a prophet to the nations before he was born pushed back saying that he was too young up be used. Johnathan pretended to go, but went in the opposite direction. None of their excuses seem unreasonable, but God doesn’t look for excuses when He asks for our obedience.
God didn’t deny that Moses had a stutter. Instead He asked Moses, “Who created the mouth?” He then reassured him that He would give him the words to say. To Gideon, God reinforced that he should go no matter what and comforted him that He would go with Gideon. God was then very direct with Jeremiah. He said, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you” (NLT). I think we all know what happened to Jonah. God sent a storm to get Jonah and then a large fish to take him back the other direction. In each of these cases, God didn’t remove the fear or thing that hindered them. He met them where they were and they moved forward before their fear disappeared.
Paul addressed this same issue in 2 Timothy 1:7 which says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Moses didn’t need to become a public speaker. Gideon didn’t need a full army. Jeremiah didn’t need to wait until he was older. Jonah didn’t even have to want to go. However, each of them had to recognize the fear didn’t come from God and that He had equipped them with the power to accomplish what He called them to do. Where have you been making excuses instead of taking the next step in what God has called you to do? It might not be as big of a job as these guys, but it still requires the same faith and obedience before the fear is gone. Just like God was with them, He will be with you. Step out in faith and obedience today.
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