With the emergence of cell phones, most people are accessible at all times. But are we accessible when God calls? In this week’s Scripture, Moses got a call he couldn’t ignore that revealed God’s heart and Moses’ part in God’s special plan.

In our text, we find Moses as a humble shepherd in the foreign land of Midian, 40 years after he fled from Egypt. The king who demanded Moses’ life for killing an Egyptian soldier had died (Exodus 2:23-25). But the Israelites in Egypt were still suffering, so they cried out to God, and God called on Moses.

The Phone Is Ringing
In verses 1-4, Moses was watching and tending the sheep. He went from place to place in search of pasture and water for his flock. For some reason, the search led him to Horeb on the other side of the desert. This is where God called him to take on a special mission.

Thoughout history God has called simple people in everyday places to perform remarkable service for his glory. Our service couldn’t be much simpler than that of Moses, the humble shepherd. Our location couldn’t be more remote than his, away in the wilderness. But God may still call, and then ours will be the responsibility to answer.

Hello?
Moses was curious about the burning bush, and he must truly have been startled when God called his name. He responded with an innocent, “Here I am.” Those words were an invitation to hear what God had to tell him.

God introduced himself and then shared his heart for his people in Egypt. Verses 7-9 contain the words misery, crying out, concerned, suffering, rescue, the cry, and oppressing; these words seem to motivate our loving God.

Later, God saw our misery and oppression from sin and rescued us through Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13, 14). Likewise, God desires to rescue the poor and the needy (Psalm 35:10), the afflicted and the oppressed (Psalm 72:12-14). God’s heart has a special place for those who are in need of kindness and justice.

Who Me? No, We!
In verse 10, God revealed his special mission to Moses and then said, “So now, go.” God didn’t leave much room for discussion; he expected action. Moses’ initial response (v. 11) was but the first of many excuses he offered. Moses must have thought, You want me to do what?

Moses didn’t understand what God wanted, and that led to excuses and apprehension. God told Moses that he, not Moses, was going to rescue the Israelites (v. 8). How often we forget that when God calls us to do something, his power, not ours, will give us the strength to accomplish it.

When Jesus sent out the twelve to preach, he gave them the power and authority to do great works (Luke 9:1, 2). Paul says evangelism and discipling are possible only when our actions are coupled with God’s power (1 Corinthians 3:7, 8). When God calls us to a special task or mission, we are not to be fearful, but filled with anticipation for how God’s power will manifest itself through our efforts. Moses, however, was fearful; he hesitated because he was looking at the mission in terms of what he could accomplish instead of what God would accomplish. Do we do the same?

God promised Moses, “I will be with you” (v. 12). God guaranteed the mission’s success by describing Moses’ return to Mount Horeb. All Moses needed to do was go.

A famous World War II poster shows Uncle Sam pointing and saying emphatically, “I Want YOU.” The urgency in his eyes and the stern look on his face demanded that citizens do their civic duty to help the country.

God also expects us to take part in our duty as citizens of his kingdom. There are times when God calls us to give, reach out to, care for, or step up to meet a need that is close to God’s heart. Pray this week that you will hear God calling and that you will answer, “Yes, Lord!”

--------

*All Scriptures are from the New International Version of the Bible, unless otherwise indicted.