Says, “god, Show Your Strength Through My Weakness.”

Says, “God, Show Your Strength Through My Weakness.”

A HERO’S TALE

By most standards, Moses was the greatest leader in Israel’s long history.

He led a million or more Israelites out of Egyptian slavery. He took them through the Red Sea, guided them through 40 years of desert wandering, and led them to the edge of the Promised Land. He saved the people from God’s terrible wrath multiple times by passionately praying on their behalf. He acted as a judge for the entire nation. He stood in God’s presence, received the Ten Commandments, and presented God’s laws to the people.

But to hear Moses tell it, he was a big ol’ loser.

When God called Moses to free Israel from Pharaoh (see Exodus 3), Moses didn’t exactly jump at the chance. Actually, Israel’s future hero came up with every excuse he could not to go:

• “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11) —Moses’ first excuse was that he was a nobody and that no one would listen to him, certainly not a powerful king like Pharaoh.
• “I’m not very good with words” (Exodus 4:10) —Moses then claimed that he wasn’t a good public speaker.
• “Lord, please! Send anyone else” (Exodus 4:13) —Moses’ last excuse was just a flat-out appeal to God not to send him.

God wasn’t interested in Moses’ excuses, just his obedience. Reluctantly, with the help of his brother, Aaron, Moses agreed to go. And the rest, as they say, is history.

DECODING THE MESSAGE

Despite all his impressive talents and achievements later in life, Moses started as a weak, timid, sinfully reluctant man. That’s good news for the rest of us because it gives us hope. If Moses can do it, so can we!

You see, when God searches for people to serve him, he doesn’t look for those who are already strong heroes. He often looks for weak individuals whom he can make into heroes by his power. That way, God gets the credit, not us.

This requires humility on our part. We have to be willing to say, “God, I’m nothing without you. But please use me however you want to for your glory, not mine.” Moses did that. So did the apostle Paul, who wrote today’s verse, and many other heroes of the Bible. They all started off as weak, needy sinners, but by God’s power, they accomplished great deeds.

God can do that through you, too!

BATTLE PLAN

Memorize 2 Corinthians 12:9 and say it as a prayer to God.