Exodus 6:26-27

²⁶ It was this Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, “Bring the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions.” ²⁷ They were the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing the Israelites out of Egypt—this same Moses and Aaron.

I was fourteen years old when I gave my first devotional from the Bible and it was horrible. I still don’t know why I did it. My family was involved in a nursing home ministry every Wednesday night, and usually my dad gave a short gospel message to the residents. For some reason, one evening he asked me to do it and I said yes. I think my “sermon” was from Hebrews 11 on the faith of Abraham. I had studied to the best of my ability, and thought I knew what I was going to say. When the time came, I went through my entire page of notes and was out of things to say after five minutes of speaking. Some of you might be reading this and wish I’d go back to my five-minute messages. My dad got up after me and salvaged the situation. I don’t remember much about that time, but I do remember how humiliated I felt at not being up to the task.

Thankfully I didn’t give up and I think my teaching has gotten, better over the years. It certainly has gotten longer. But that wasn’t the last time I felt inadequate for the ministry God had put before me. Have you ever felt unqualified or unprepared for what God has put in front of you? If so, you probably identify with Moses. Moses did not feel equipped for the task ahead of him, but he had heard the clear command of the Lord. 

There were many reasons why Moses was qualified for the task, but Moses couldn’t help but focus on his inadequacies. Moses had failure in his past, the people didn’t believe in him, the task was humanly impossible, and Moses was uncomfortable speaking. When God called him, he responded by objecting, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?” And yet Scripture records, “It was this Aaron and Moses…this same Moses and Aaron,” who brought the Israelites out of Egypt. 

Ministry effectiveness is not about your ability, but about your obedience to God’s command. God is faithful. The genealogies speak to God’s faithfulness to keep his covenant promises. Moses learned humility, and he learned just how powerful God is to accomplish his purposes. This is a lesson that each of us needs to learn. Do you have failures in your past? Are you inadequate for the jobs God has placed before you? You are in good company. The good news is that God is powerful enough to use you even with your deficiencies. Step out in obedience and leave the results to God. You may fail, but God will never fail you.