What God’s asking us to do can overwhelm us. We can get tongue-tied in excuse making and even feign humility in hope that God will send someone else, but the humble obey God. Will you obey?

But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” Then the LORD’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you.” Exodus 4:13-14

It looked like a humble move. Moses was polite. “Pardon your servant, Lord.” And he certainly wasn’t seeking the spotlight or lead position in delivering God’s people from Egypt. “Please send someone else.”

Yet God’s anger burned against him! This wasn’t humility. It was disobedience! God gave Moses an assignment and he wanted no part of it. Instead of fearing God and trembling at His word, he made excuses. Instead of fixing his eyes on the great I AM, he focused on self.

Do we do the same with God’s commands? Where do our thoughts and eyes shift when God says love your enemies, feed the hungry, give generously, forgive as the Lord forgave you, and keep your conversations full of grace. Do we say, “Pardon me, Lord, but You don’t understand who I’m dealing with here?” Or, “Father, I don’t have the time, energy, capabilities, or resources to do what You’re asking me to do. Please send someone else.”

How arrogant to think that we can pick and choose from God’s commands as if His Word is a buffet line of options that we can select from based on our preferences and circumstances. How disobedient! God rebukes the proud and arrogant that stray from His commands (Psalm 119:21). He opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5).

The humble obey God. They are contrite in spirit and tremble at His Word (Isaiah 66:2). They love His law, put their hope in His word, keep His statues, and stake their life on His promises.

Obedience is not easy. Like Moses, what God’s asking us to do can overwhelm us. We can get tongue-tied in excuse making, trapped in insecurities and past failures, and even feign humility in hope that God will send someone else.

Everything changed when Moses stopped making excuses and chose to walk in humble obedience. When he shifted his focus from self to the all-powerful, all knowing I AM, God transformed and equipped him, and accomplished great things through him. He is able to do that same work in and through you and me.

God becomes greater and we become less when we walk obediently and humbly with Him.

HE>i: Think about an assignment God is pressing on your heart today. Will you do what God is asking you to do?