The Well

EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE

Moses said to the Lord, "You have been telling me, 'take these people up to the Promised Land.' But you haven't told me whom you will send with me. You call me by name and tell me I have found favor with you. Please, if this is really so, show me your intentions so I will understand you more fully and do exactly what you want me to do. Besides, don't forget that this nation is your very own people."
And the Lord replied, "I will personally go with you, Moses. I will give you rest — everything will be fine for you."
Exodus 33:12 - 14

We all know that Moses is recorded as a man of faith. When I read this passage of scripture I was amazed. The Lord revealed some things to me that encouraged me and made me have even more respect for this marvelous man, Moses.

First, Moses had no peer whom he could share his doubts and fears with. As a result of this, the only person he could really talk to was God Himself. Oh, he had his father-in-law and Joshua, but let's think about what it would mean to Moses if he shared with them.

Who wants to really bare their soul to an "in-law"? Okay, before I get a barrage of email, I know that some people actually have in-laws that are accepting and loving. Maybe Moses' in-laws were that way. Still, most of us just don't want to share our fears with anyone who might bring it back in our face one day.

Then, there is Joshua. Maybe if he felt that if he shared his fears with Joshua, Joshua's faith might diminish. Most people don't want the people under their authority to know that they have any struggles. They try to retain a semblance of strength.

Second, Moses needed assurance that God really wanted him to do this and that He would be with him. As the founder of a ministry there are times when I doubt strongly that I am doing what God wants me to do. When money is tight and the ministry goes through a season without anyone to minister to, I begin to question that what I am doing is God-appointed. So, it blessed me to see that Moses needed assurance.

Third, Moses didn't hesitate to remind God of His promises. For a long time I really didn't understand how a person could pray a prayer reminding God of His promises. Then, God showed me that He isn't offended when we come to Him as Moses did. God doesn't "need" reminding He knows that when we remind Him we are simply planting more seeds of faith.

God honored Moses and granted him favor. However, if we look at the forty years Moses walked the people through we may wonder why! When we compare Moses' leading a rebellious people through the wilderness for forty years we are encouraged because we know that God loved Moses and called him to do what he did. Therefore, our faith is strengthened when things don't just "happen" over night! So, be encouraged — everything will be fine!