Paticipating in the Mighty Acts of God

Then the anger of the Lord burned against Moses, and He said, "Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. And moreover, behold, he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I, even I, will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do. Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him. ¹⁷ You shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.” Exodus 4:14-17

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When God sent Moses on a mission to free the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, He didn't send Moses empty handed. He said "You shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.”  Remember, this is the staff that turned into a snake when Moses threw it on the ground at God's command.

Why the staff?

Well, God desires to perform mighty miracles through all of us but two things hold him back.
1. Our lack of faith
2. Our lack of humility

In the first instance, Moses was convinced he was incapable of fulfilling God's demands so he said “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” This is, of course what angered God. Our lack of faith is an offense to God. When He commissions us He also prepares and equips us. Aaron was God's provision.

On the other hand, lack of humility is a human failing that allows us to believe we are capable of more than we really are. Over the years I have encountered many Christians who have had no difficulty taking credit for their accomplishments. Sadly, it's precisely this hubris that prevents God from performing even mightier works through them. God will not be mocked! For this reason, the staff is a critically important symbol in the life of Moses. It is a reminder that all Divine power comes to us from the outside, not the inside. Even the Holy Spirit is an external source of power, though He has chosen to reside within us. Which, of course adds to the confusion for many of us. The miracles God had in mind for Moses were so dynamic that even Moses might begin to believe in his own notoriety. So...God gave him a staff so he would never forget the source of the power.

The obvious question is simple; How miraculous are our lives? Could we liberate an entire nation? God is always looking for a vessel through which He might work His glorious miracles. If that vessel isn't us, we should be asking Him..."Lord, is it my lack of faith or my lack of  humility?"

And, when you get that resolved...hang on tight!

Live boldly out there today...

My Morning Prayer

Lord, as the Psalmist proclaims (16:5, 6) "you alone supply my needs and keep me secure. The boundary lines of my life have fallen in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance". So, my heart is filled with gratitude and thanksgiving. You have given me so much more than I deserve…forgiveness and eternal life through your  Son's death and resurrection. You are my Savior and Lord!
Yet, I continually fall short in my desire to perfectly follow you as Lord of my life. Forgive my sin, wash me anew and put my feet on your path today.  I ask that you would give me an extra measure of your Holy Spirit so I will have the strength and wisdom to live an obedient life that reflects the true desire of my heart. Help me die to the carnal desires that invade my flesh. I understand this does not come easy but, as you told the prophet Jeremiah (29:13), You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Show me today how to seek you with that level of fervor. AND, when your Holy Spirit fills and empowers me, I will die to my selfish ambitions and live for you.
Then,  I know the plans You have for me , plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future…will come to pass. (Jer 29:11)

Live boldly out there today...