By David Faust

Ever since Eve blamed the serpent and Adam blamed Eve, the human brain has acted like an excuse dispenser, pouring out justifications for failure and disobedience.

At the burning bush Moses’ initial response to God’s call included a cluster of excuses.

Who, Me?

Moses’ first excuse sprang from his own inadequacy. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11). It’s not surprising that he hesitated. Forty years earlier Moses killed a man, fled from Egypt, and began toiling as an obscure shepherd. How could he lead the Hebrews out of Egypt? The task appeared overwhelming. Looking at ourselves we can always find reasons to avoid God’s call. “I’m not good enough, smart enough, or gifted enough.” However, the focus needs to be on the Lord’s identity. “I will be with you,” the Lord told Moses (v. 12). We ask, “Who am I?” but God says, “i am who i am” (v. 14).

What If?

Still unsure, Moses asked the Lord more questions, including: “What if they do not believe me or listen to me?” (4:1). God already had promised, “The elders of Israel will listen to you” (3:18), but Moses felt compelled to ask, “What if they don’t?” “What if” questions hold us back too. “I’m healthy now, but what if I get sick? What if I don’t have the money or the resources I need?” We freeze in fear when we should walk by faith.

Instead of focusing on what might happen, Moses needed to use the resources already at his disposal. The Lord asked, “What is that in your hand?” (4:2). Moses’ ordinary shepherd’s staff would soon become the rod of God.

What About My Weaknesses?

Again Moses confessed his lack of self-confidence. “I have never been eloquent . . . . I am slow of speech and tongue” (4:10). But God wasn’t asking Moses to be a fancy talker—just to be available and faithful. In time Moses became such an effective communicator that we still quote his words more than 3,000 years after he spoke them. The book of Deuteronomy consists mainly of Moses’ speeches to the Israelites. Moses didn’t consider himself an effective communicator, but he could speak well enough once he turned his mouth over to God.

Couldn’t Someone Else Do This?

Finally convinced that the Lord wasn’t going to relent, Moses tried one more evasion. “Please send someone else,” Moses implored (4:13). Aaron would serve as an additional mouthpiece, but Moses wasn’t off the hook. God said, “I will help both of you speak” (v. 15). It’s easy to say what someone else should do. It’s been said that too many churches are like a basketball game where 10 weary players are down on the court desperately in need of rest while 10,000 yelling, opinionated spectators are up in the stands desperately in need of exercise.

What is God calling you to do? When God calls, the right response is not to pass the buck or make excuses but to trust and obey.

David Faust serves as the Associate Minister at East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Based on International Sunday School Lesson, © 2013, by the Lesson Committee. Scripture quotations are from the New International Version ©2011, unless otherwise indicated.

As you apply today’s Scripture study to everyday life, read Engage Your Faith by David Faust and the correlating Evaluation Questions.