Faithful Obedience

 “Lord, you have been our dwelling place

   in all generations.

 Before the mountains were brought forth,

   or ever you had formed the earth and the world,

   from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

- Psalm 90:1-2

God is our unchanging home; the Creator of all things is the everlasting God. Moses, the author of this Psalm seemingly returned often to this reminder. In Exodus 3 and 4, when he is first called by God for the audacious task of speaking to Pharaoh, Moses is a fugitive and fearful. He feels inadequate and reacts with disbelief. In Exodus 3:15, God says, “…‘Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.’” Moses responds, all too mindful of his shortcomings. He is not eloquent. Who would believe he is on a mission for God? Surely God could use someone, really anyone, else.

Through many questions, excuses, and fears Moses fumbles His way to obedience. Read through the rest of the story, and one thing is certain. Moses’ story is not a flawless one, but it is a faithful one. Time and time again, Moses follows God’s direction in leading the people to the land that God promised. For him, it’s a pretty thankless job. The people are mad. Go apologize to God for them. Come back to share the good things God has told you. Wander. The people are mad. Go apologize to God, and repeat. Yet, in it all, Moses develops an unshakable faith that the God who called him from a burning bush, and used him to accomplish this mighty thing, is still using him and isn’t done.

Look closely at the story of Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush. He is being sent, but that’s not the only storyline. The LORD God is the One sending him.  “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob….” (Exodus 3:6) When we focus on all the ways in which we can’t serve God, we are crippled by fears and possible personal failures, but when we focus on the God who calls us, we can trust that He will do the work, and we are to walk in the ways He’s called us. Our job is faithful obedience. Not proving ourselves to one another or to God, but faithfully following Him in the places He’s called us. The God we serve is constant, and He is the one who calls us.

Rachel Suarez