"Where the Power is Found" is what our next study is going to be about. This is Exodus 3:9-12.
"...And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me (God speaking), and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."
When God called Moses to go to Pharaoh and ask for the freedom of the Israelite slaves, Moses had a perfectly understandable response. Like, "Seriously? This is Bush 6, Lord. I think you meant to burn Bush 12 down there where that other guy is. Who am I that I should go? Why would Pharaoh ever, ever listen to me? Should I really go back to the scene of my crime? And why would the Israelites ever trust me or follow me? God, this really doesn't make any sense."
Let's be honest, from a human standpoint, these are perfectly logical questions. And from a human standpoint, this seems like a bad plan. And there are times, for all of us, when what God calls us to doesn't seem best to us. And I would ask you, "What do you do when your plan seems better than God's plan for you?"
But there's something that Moses fails to understand as he's responding to God's clear call. God says to Moses, "Come, I will send you." That's "come" as in "follow me." You see, God, just in that word, is reminding Moses that he's not going to be by himself. And when Moses asks God, "Who am I that I should go?," I don't know if you noticed in the passage, God doesn't really answer him. He doesn't try to pump up Moses' confidence, telling him he has what it takes and that he's the right man for the job. No, God doesn't do any of that. In reality, Moses has no hope of accomplishing the task he's been assigned to. He has no power in himself to do what he's been called to do. That's precisely why God says, "I will go with you." Power belongs to the Lord.
And it's very clear in Scripture that whenever God calls us, he not only goes with us, but he empowers us to do what he calls for us to do. In fact, Romans 8 (verses 9-11) says, to you and to me, that if we're in Christ, we now have the same power dwelling in us by God's Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. How mind-boggling is that? You see, God knows that our weakness is so great, it was not enough for him to forgive us. He literally has to unzip us and get inside of us by his Spirit, or we would never be what we are supposed to be or do what we are called to do. God's promise to be with Moses is a finger that points down the generations to the coming of Jesus, God with us, and to the gift of the Spirit, God in us, so that we would know, like Moses, we're not alone. We don't do what God calls us to do alone; power comes from the Lord, and he is in us and for us and with us!"
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. Have you ever found yourself in a position where you didn't understand or agree with God's specific plan for you? If so, how did you initially respond? What did God do in and through you to show his power?
2. Why do you think God chooses to consistently use weak and needy people to accomplish his good work? How have you seen that play out before, either in your own life or in the life of someone you know?
3. What might God be calling you to do that you know you cannot do apart from his empowerment? Take some time to pray and ask the Lord what he wants to do in and through you, and then ask him to empower you by his Spirit to do so.
4. How does the gospel help you to know that you're never alone or on your own in life?
For Younger Children:
1. What does it mean that God is all-powerful? Why do you think God chooses to work through people even if he's all-powerful? What's the point of that?
2. What is the best way to know that God wants to be in a relationship with us and be close to us? How does the Holy Spirit help us and show us that God is all powerful?
For Older Children:
1. What do you think it means that God lives inside every believer? How is that possible?
2. What does it mean that God is all-powerful? Why do you think God chooses to work through people even if he's all-powerful? What's the point of that?
3. How have you seen God use regular people like me and you to show his power in this world? In what ways would you like to see God use you in the future? Take some time to write down the ways you'd like to see God use you.
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