Every man is under the influence of his family, society, friends and all that which he is in constant connection with. This influence would be reflected in his words, actions, emotions, desires and thoughts. Even his character and identity could be transformed when a man is under a canopy of healthy influence.
2 Corinthians 5: 17 reminds us,“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
When we keenly observe the lives of ordinary men who were touched by God and later became pioneer missionaries in different nations, one can have unwavering confidence that God has the power to bring immense change to people's lives.
When we think of Moses, we are reminded of him being Israel’s one of the greatest prophets and an irreplaceable leader. But when we look at the days prior to him having an encounter with God on Mount Horeb, we can truly observe a shift in physical, emotional, mental and spiritual realms that took place in him. A clear distinction could be seen in him from his former and latter days.
Clothed with emotional strength and wisdom
In Exodus 2: 14 The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known." Moses is seen as a timid personality who feared the people and fled to Midian as he didn’t want to face any consequences. He could be seen as one who ran away because his own people turned their backs towards him and he was afraid of his very life. But when he was touched by God, in later parts of the Scriptures we read Moses standing firm, blameless, and administering justice even when all the Israelities grumbled and quarrelled with him. God even granted him with the wisdom and attributes to settle disputes and be a judge over the ones who once judged him. When the men challenged him in Exodus 2:14 questioning him about his authority, God honoured Moses by granting him the same authority to lead and judge Israelites as mentioned in Exodus 18: 16.
Exodus 18:15-16 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
God lifted Moses’ head and clothed him with new strength to return to the place where he once endured defeat. His timidity was transformed into a character which comforted, encouraged and instilled a sense of hope in the minds of Israelities throughout their journey.
Exodus 14:13,14 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Realized God is at work through him
When we read Exodus 3: 11, we can realize that Moses was always governed by low self-esteem
“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
Moses missed to understand that it was God who was going ahead of him to rescue the Israelites from the hand of Egyptians and not Moses himself. Moses was just an instrument that God used to reveal His might. When we are struck with low self esteem, let’s be reminded like Moses that God is with us and “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4b). It is the LORD who fights our battles and we just need to stand still and see the victory that He is bringing through us.
God sets us in unfamiliar positions where we are least qualified, but if we rely upon God’s strength and power rather than our own experience or knowledge, He will grant you success in all that you do. It could be overwhelming if we rely on ourselves, but if we obey God’s command to “go”, He will provide you with His grace which is sufficient for the journey.
Lasting spiritual presence
In Moses’ former days, although he knew about God, he didn’t have a constant relationship with God. But God’s eyes were on Moses Exodus 3: 4a When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
God didn’t judge Moses based on his past, rather He gave Moses new revelations of who He is which was not even revealed to his ancestors Abraham, Issac and Jacob.
Exodus 6: 2-3 God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them.
Exodus 3: 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
After Moses had an encounter with God, we see that he was in a constant relationship with God and the Lord spoke to Moses face to face. His lifestyle changed to that which he never wanted to be separated from God’s presence.
Exo 33: 9,11a 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.
When we taste God in our lives, our dead spiritual lives will be rejuvenated to have a deeper connection with the Almighty God.
Strength to overlook physical infirmities
In the initial conversations Moses had with God, we can notice that Moses was constantly being bothered by his physical infirmities. Multiple times he confessed to the Creator of all about his weakness rather than acknowledging the power of God.
Exodus 4: 10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
In our life, we tend to undermine the greatness of God who is in us and instead tries to exaggerate our physical infirmities. Seldom we realize that God Who Created us knew our weaknesses even before he called us. God clearly knew of Moses’ infirmities and that Aaron had the ability to speak well. Despite the challenges you have in life, God doesn’t want you to feel defeated by it, but he is there to help you overcome your difficulties.
Exodus 4: 12, 15 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.
If you possess a teachable spirit, God can help you just like how He commanded the stammering Moses to speak!
Enriching faith
When Moses could not perceive immediate deliverance of Israelites from the grip of Pharaoh, he grew impatient and started questioning God instead of trusting God’s timings.
Exo 5: 22 Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me?
But later his faith was renewed to a point that he continued to remind the people of Israel about the goodness of God and the great deliverance God has done for them. Let our faith be renewed so that we could live a life pleasing God just like Moses.
Do you need a change in your emotional, mental, spiritual and physical life? It could be nearly impossible how much ever you try to change yourself. Instead if we encounter God through His Word and have a lasting relationship with Him like Moses, the transformation within you would be evident even to the rest around you. If you have attempted to change your character and have given up all hopes, seek the help of the Holy Spirit and He will help you and instruct you. You are not to stay defeated, rather brace yourself with new strength and courage for what God is about to do through you!
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