4 THINGS GOD GIVES OVERWHELMED PEOPLE

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. (‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭5-7‬ ESV)

As the children of Israel proceeded to pass from the wilderness (of which they spent 40 years) into the Promised Land - God wanted to assure them that just as He was with Moses, He would be with them also.

Twice He tells them to "BE STRONG."  Why would God say that unless of course they felt weak and inadequate?  Yet, it's amazing how God used Moses and Joshua  in spite of the feelings of pressure and stress that He felt.  God really both of them greatly!

But in reality, isn't that they way you and I feel on a day by day basis?  I know I do.

I have often struggled with a sense that I have a lot of shortcomings.  I often lack confidence and feel that I'm over my head. At times I feel like Moses who declared that the burdens of leading so many people were overwhelming.

Do you ever feel that way - overwhelmed?  Do you feel like life is difficult and hard and stressful?  I think all of us identify with those types of feelings.

FOUR THINGS GOD SUPPLIES TO OVERWHELMED PEOPLE

The story of God calling Moses in Exodus 3 and 4 give us a picture of an overwhelmed leader.

When God called Moses to deliver his people from Egypt, it is helpful to put yourself in Moses’ sandals.  He grew up in the house of Pharaoh and fled as a wanted fugitive after killing an Egyptian.  And now God speaks through a burning bush telling him to go back and do the impossible.

Moses questioned God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:7-11 ESV)

God in his infinite mercy supplies four things to Moses that apply to all of us today.

1. His presence.

He said, “But I will be with you…” Exodus 3:12

This is a promise to all of us - God is with you as you go about your day  by day tasks.  He promises to never leave us of forsake us.

2. His Power.

“But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand.So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go.”Exodus 3:19-20

What were the chances of Moses waltzing into Egypt and freeing the Hebrew people on his own? Let’s face it. They were zero. There was no chance.

But this was not about Moses’ power but about God’s.  God basically said to Moses, “You provide the obedience Moses. I’ll provide the power.”

What power do you and I have to open the eyes of the spiritually blind, change a human heart, or make someone grow spiritually? None.

In fact, Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). He means apart from Jesus you can do nothing of spiritual significance. Why? Because only God has the power to make a spiritual difference in the lives of people.

Here’s the challenge for us: In Moses’ situation it was so obvious that Moses couldn’t accomplish the challenge on his own. He knew he had to rely on the power of the Lord.

For us, we sometimes think we can life on our own. That’s a trap. We need to rely on the power of God to have the strength to do life.  

Here’s how we can tell if we are depending on His power. How much are we praying? Prayer indicates our dependence on the Lord. Prayer demonstrates that we know we don’t have the power. That we know we are relying on God’s power.

3. His Providence.

But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” Exodus 4:10-12

Moses is immobilized by his own inadequacies. He says, “I don’t have the verbal skills to do this. I’m slow of speech. I’m not a good public speaker!”

And God says, “Moses, trust my providence.” God’s providence is how He orders the circumstances of this world to make sure His will is accomplished.

God says, “Look Moses… who controls these things?  And I have made sure that you have what you need to accomplish what I called you to do."

Do you believe that? Do you believe that God was in control of the abilities, the education, the background, the intelligence, the physical characteristics that you have? Do you believe God has given you what you need to accomplish the task He has put before you?

Even with all God has given us, we still have weaknesses.  The words of Jesus to Paul are a comfort: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Trust that He has even given you the weaknesses you have so you will depend on Him.

4. His Partners

But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. Exodus 4:13-15

Moses is complaining about his lack of speaking ability. And God says I’ll give you a partner to fill in where you are weak.  That’s God’s way throughout the scriptures. That is why he calls the church the body of Christ. We all need one another. 

We each have a role to play. We each have a unique contribution to make. You need people around you who can fill in where you are weak. And you can do the same for them.

In the midst of this passage that shows us the mercy of God, we also see God’s anger triggered by Moses saying “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13).

God puts up with our fears and insecurities. But He does not accept our disobedience.

“Send someone else” is not an acceptable answer to the Lord. He won’t take no for an answer.

If God calls you to do something, He won’t accept no for an answer. “Send someone else” will not fly with God.

And here is the encouraging part. You can do it because of the four things God has promised you.  God has given you great responsibility in life. Fortunately He has given you equally great resources and promises to empower you to fulfill that responsibility as well.