What If?
“God has a promise that defeats every single one of our ‘what-ifs’.”
Exodus 4:1-9 (ESV)
Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’” The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. But the Lord said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail” —so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— “that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” Again, the Lord said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. “If they will not believe you, “God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”
Reflection
Have you ever heard the expression “I just want to shake you”? Maybe you’ve even used this expression yourself. It communicates frustration toward an individual or a desire to awaken someone to a different perspective. Honestly, I found myself thinking this expression as I read about Moses in today’s passage.
In the verses preceding today’s reading, Moses experiences a physical and supernatural encounter with God through a burning bush. During this encounter, God places a calling on Moses’ life – to lead God’s people out of slavery. God is physically present and clearly speaking to Moses, but Moses spirals into a pit of self-focus: What if they don’t believe me? What if they don’t listen to me? As I read Moses’ response, I just want to shake him and say, “Moses, it’s not about you! Do you not see God’s presence? Do you not see God’s power?”
Not only does God meet Moses’ persistent hesitation with grace, but God equips Moses with three powerful signs: a staff turned into a serpent, a healthy hand turned diseased, and a sample of the Nile River turned into blood. But even after God gives Moses three powerful signs, Moses continues the spiral: What if I don’t speak well? Again, I just want to shake Moses and say, “Moses, do you not see the three mind-blowing miracles God did just for you? Do you not see God’s provision? Moses, if only you could see past your insecurities, self-doubt, and self-focus!”
And then it hits me: This is our story, too!
God may not appear to us in a burning bush, but God is within us and all around us. God may not provide three powerful signs for us to share, but God’s miracles are in our lives each day. Yet, we doubt…
What if they don’t believe me when I tell them about Jesus?
What if I stumble over that prayer?
What if I mess up?
What if God doesn’t show up when I need Him to?
What if they don’t accept me?
Friends, we all have “what-ifs” in our thoughts, just like Moses.
But God has a promise that defeats every single one of our “what-ifs.”
God is with us (Isaiah 41:10).
God will never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:8).
God is our refuge and strength (Psalms 46:1).
God is the supplier of our needs (Philippians 4:19).
God knows the plans He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11).
God loves us (John 3:16).
Today, let’s choose to turn away from our “what-ifs” and turn toward who God is.
Action Steps
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for extending Your grace towards me. I am underserving of Your gracious love. I place my self-doubts and insecurities at Your feet. God, help me to see more of You and less of me. You are my confidence. In Your loving name, amen.
Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’” The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. But the Lord said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail” —so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— “that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” Again, the Lord said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. “If they will not believe you, “God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”
Reflection
Have you ever heard the expression “I just want to shake you”? Maybe you’ve even used this expression yourself. It communicates frustration toward an individual or a desire to awaken someone to a different perspective. Honestly, I found myself thinking this expression as I read about Moses in today’s passage.
In the verses preceding today’s reading, Moses experiences a physical and supernatural encounter with God through a burning bush. During this encounter, God places a calling on Moses’ life – to lead God’s people out of slavery. God is physically present and clearly speaking to Moses, but Moses spirals into a pit of self-focus: What if they don’t believe me? What if they don’t listen to me? As I read Moses’ response, I just want to shake him and say, “Moses, it’s not about you! Do you not see God’s presence? Do you not see God’s power?”
Not only does God meet Moses’ persistent hesitation with grace, but God equips Moses with three powerful signs: a staff turned into a serpent, a healthy hand turned diseased, and a sample of the Nile River turned into blood. But even after God gives Moses three powerful signs, Moses continues the spiral: What if I don’t speak well? Again, I just want to shake Moses and say, “Moses, do you not see the three mind-blowing miracles God did just for you? Do you not see God’s provision? Moses, if only you could see past your insecurities, self-doubt, and self-focus!”
And then it hits me: This is our story, too!
God may not appear to us in a burning bush, but God is within us and all around us. God may not provide three powerful signs for us to share, but God’s miracles are in our lives each day. Yet, we doubt…
What if they don’t believe me when I tell them about Jesus?
What if I stumble over that prayer?
What if I mess up?
What if God doesn’t show up when I need Him to?
What if they don’t accept me?
Friends, we all have “what-ifs” in our thoughts, just like Moses.
But God has a promise that defeats every single one of our “what-ifs.”
God is with us (Isaiah 41:10).
God will never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:8).
God is our refuge and strength (Psalms 46:1).
God is the supplier of our needs (Philippians 4:19).
God knows the plans He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11).
God loves us (John 3:16).
Today, let’s choose to turn away from our “what-ifs” and turn toward who God is.
Action Steps
- Make a list of your “what-ifs” (the self-doubt, fears, and insecurities that are stopping you from taking a step of obedience).
- Next, list God’s promises for each “what-if.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for extending Your grace towards me. I am underserving of Your gracious love. I place my self-doubts and insecurities at Your feet. God, help me to see more of You and less of me. You are my confidence. In Your loving name, amen.
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