EXODUS 4:18-26 READY NOW With the rod in his hand, a reminder of the promises and power of God with which he will do signs, Moses leaves the "Mountain of God" and returns to his family. There is a change in him since they last saw him, and his dealings with God was about to affect them all. When we come to really know God and are willing to yield our will in obedience to His will, it has a definite ripple effect. It will make those who know us best more conscious of God and aware of the fact that He cannot be ignored. Obedience changes a person. When Moses respectfully spoke to his father-in-law, Jethro seemed to understand what had happened. Moses stayed in Midian "wrapping things up," longer than was necessary. God spoke to Moses again to urge him to get moving in God's business. "The king's business requires haste" can certainly be said of God's business. "He that believeth shall not make haste" seems to be a contradiction, but is rather a warning to us not to act in the urgency of the flesh in view of the fact it is the Lord we serve. When God gives us clear direction, there is no need to wait for our own convenience.
The return of Moses to Egypt meant leaving those things that had become familiar to him. Now instead of adapting himself to familiar surroundings, as a servant of God with a mission, he has to adapt himself to God and work under divine guidance that has allied his will with God's will. We are not called to be "free lances" in the work of God. God gives us His objective in plain terms. "Israel is My son...let My son go that he may serve Me." Moses had plenty of time during the days of travel across the desert to reflect on all God told him. He knew beforehand there was going to be opposition. His flesh had made him hesitate in Midian. The world of Pharaoh awaited him and God had told him there would be opposition from Pharaoh. The devil would use his powers to keep God's people in bondage as long as he could by copying what God would do. In that way he would get at the messenger and try to make Moses stop before the goal was reached. In any work of God we are called upon to engage in, we can expect opposition. Some opposition will come from expected sources and some will come from places and people we least expect.
Zipporah did not seem to be a help to Moses. For some reason he had not carried out the rite of circumcision that identified Hebrew males. A covenant had been between God and Abraham hundreds of years before that through the Jews that nation would bless the world. Perhaps Zipporah had not let circumcision be done to her sons. Now she had to yield to the pressure of God, but did so grudgingly. She only submitted to doing this circumcision because she had no choice. When she threw what she had cut off at Moses so he could live, it was plain to see she was very unhappy with the whole call of God. There are times when we have to count the cost of serving God and obeying His call, more important than the desire of those who are closest to us. The disciple has to be willing to "forsake all" and follow the Lord. This is not an easy thing to do. She had to be sent back to Jethro and would not see her husband again until the exodus from Egypt had taken place.
To serve God means the vessel must be ready for use no matter what it might cost. The power we need to do those things that are necessary in God's service, must come from God alone. The faithful support of those closest to us is a wonderful thing. But if it is not forthcoming, it does not mean we can avoid doing what God has called us to do. God intends the covenant He makes with us to be kept. We will have to "lay aside every weight," legitimate or not and lay aside people who would claim the first place in our live. We must go forward in faith in God. We can be confident that God is with us in the work and He will bring it to His desired conclusion.
Key to a successful work for God is a surrendered will and a consecrated heart. The training of the servant takes time. To bring about true humility, power under control (meekness), a submissive spirit and the rejection of complacency, does not happen quickly. However, when God knows we are ready for His service, often action is called for right away. Faith has been increased by taking in God's Word. Trust in him has been demonstrated in the course of everyday life. A special link with God Himself has been forged so there is real fellowship with God. Then we can anticipate that God will use us and we move ahead in the work He has given us without fear.
Sometimes we think we are ready, but haven't been tested yet. It is possible to gain many skills and in spite of them, forget It is God who is working in us to will and to do His good pleasure. We need to remember we are but clay, lest pride comes on us without measure.
On the other hand, all we may be able to see are our inadequacies. Then we use that as an excuse to avoid what God intends us to be. True humility can take honest stock of what we are and we aren't. When there is true evaluation of ourselves, God will tell us when to start.
The objectives He has are not obscure, but He doesn't always tell everything - Until we have started to move ahead and then He may have to bring To our attention some things left undone that we must attend to now. When they have been dealt with, the goal is much clearer, to meet it He tells us how,
We are ready when we can look above the obstacles and see what God's intention is. We are ready when we can honestly say, "Not my will - only His." We are ready when we have counted the cost and are willing to go forward in faith. We are ready when we don't make any demands, and are able to display God's grace.
It isn't always made plain at first where the path of God's leading goes. But it is enough for us to act with assurance because our heavenly Father knows. Each step away from familiar ground is a step that demonstrates trust. That is what makes it possible for God to give important work to us.
Some people live to make money, the value of that will soon be past. The person who lives by faith trusts God wherever their lot is cast. There are those who for their life's ambition seek public acclaim and fame. One who lives in obedience and by faith, find their greatest joy in Jesus' name.
"Father of all grace, maybe I have done things for the wrong motives in the past. I honestly don't know myself well enough to discern my reasons for acting in certain ways. Perhaps it was my immaturity or lack of experience that hindered the work I should have done better. Now at my age, I hope I am better able to apply myself to Thy work with a closer fellowship with Thee. I truly want Thy will to be done in my life. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."