Do you ever make excuses? Excuses like, “The people I work with hold me back.” “I don’t have the skills for the job.” “My parents screwed me up, it’s their fault.” “I don’t have time.” “People expect too much from me.” “God expects too much from me.” When God called Moses to a great assignment, he was full of excuses.
Exodus 4:10-13
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.” 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? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.”
Moses was not saying that he had a speech impediment. He was simply saying that he would not be able to handle a debate with Pharoah. But it is an excuse. After God assured that he would give Moses the right words at the right time, Moses finally said what he was feeling all along— “Send someone else.” Excuses are a stall tactic. When we are out of excuses, we finally express the core issue of our heart. “God, thanks, but no thanks. I don’t want to do what you are asking me to do.”
If you struggle with a feeling of inadequacy, here’s the point you need to hear: God will give you whatever you need to do what he has called you to do. God told Moses, “I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” With God on our side, we are always adequate.
By the way—a sense of inadequacy is a great place of strength. It is the place where we must depend on God. The apostle Paul had a weakness that made him feel inadequate for the task God had for him. He prayed fervently for God to take away what was holding him back. But he learned that his weakness was his strength. God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). In his weakness, Paul had to depend on God, and God’s grace is always sufficient. Let Paul’s words be yours, “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10).
Father,
Today, I surrender my excuses to you. I am inadequate for the task, but you are with me. You will always give me everything I need to do what you are calling me to do. Thank you that my weakness causes me to depend on you. Thank you that my weakness allows me to have real strength that only you can supply. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Ron, I need to hear this because I have struggled with inadequacy all my life. I appreciate you so much for sharing God’s words about this topic.