Moses: When Fear Meets Faith

In Exodus 3–4, we meet Moses not as the bold leader we remember, but as a man full of fear and doubt. When God calls him from the burning bush to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, Moses doesn’t exactly jump at the chance. Instead, he offers every excuse imaginable. “Who am I that I should go?” “What if they don’t believe me?” “I’m not a good speaker.” In his excuses, Moses focuses on his weaknesses and fears rather than God’s calling. With every excuse, God keeps turning Moses’ attention to something greater — His presence.

God doesn’t deny Moses’ fears. However, He answers them with promises: “I will be with you.” He gives Moses signs, words, and even a helper in his brother Aaron. But the key is not in what Moses can do. Rather, the key is in what God will do through him. Despite all his hesitation, Moses steps forward, and with God’s power behind him, he confronts Pharaoh, leads Israel through the Red Sea, and begins a journey that would define a nation.

What can we learn from Moses?

God Works Through Our Weaknesses

Moses’ concerns about his speaking ability didn’t disqualify him; instead, God provided Aaron as his spokesperson. This teaches us that God doesn’t require perfection—He works through our weaknesses and provides what we need to fulfill His purposes. Our inadequacies become opportunities for God’s strength to shine through.

Faith Grows Through Experience

Moses’ trust in God deepened with each miracle and provision. From the plagues in Egypt to the parting of the Red Sea, each divine intervention strengthened his faith. Similarly, our confidence in God’s faithfulness grows as we witness His provision and guidance in our own lives, even in small daily circumstances.

Obedience Precedes Understanding

Moses often didn’t understand God’s full plan, but he learned to obey step by step. When God instructed him to strike the rock for water or hold up his staff during battle, Moses acted in faith before seeing the results. This teaches us that faith sometimes means taking the next step without seeing the full picture. Trust and believe that God will lead you to where you need to be.

Conclusion

Maybe you feel unqualified, overwhelmed, or afraid to step into what God has asked of you. Like Moses, you might ask, “Who am I?” But the real question is, “Who is with me?” And the answer is still the same: “I will be with you,” says the Lord.

Moses’ journey reminds us that faith is a process, not a destination. We can trust that God sees our potential even when we feel inadequate, and His plans for us are always good, even when we can’t see the full picture. He will be with us!