Exodus 4:10 – Moses said to the Lord, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." (NIV)

I love to write, but admittedly, words don't always flow easily from my mind out through my fingertips. For those who know me as a jabber-box, that might be a bit of a surprise, but feeling inadequate is my Achilles heel when it comes to being an author. I constantly struggle with not feeling up to the challenge of conveying God's Word on the printed page — which was why the Lord's reassurance to Moses meant so much to me.

When God called Moses to be the great deliverer of the Israelite people from slavery in Egypt, Moses protested that his speech and tongue were slow — in essence, he was tongue-tied. But God doesn't give up easily on a person.

Exodus 4:11 – The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" (NIV)

God reminded Moses that as Creator of everything, He had the power to enable him to do what God was asking — which is exactly what happened. At first, God supplied a spokesman through Moses' brother Aaron, but gradually, we find Moses himself speaking God's words. Then, toward the end of his life, he penned a psalm which sings God's praises. In this piece of poetry we marvel at Moses' confidence as we read his flowing, eloquent phrases.

Listen, O heavens, and I will speak;
hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
Let my teaching fall like rain
and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
like abundant rain on tender plants.
I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he. (Deuteronomy 32:1-4 NIV)

God gave Moses gentle eloquence like glistening dew upon greening grass. God did what He promised He would do for Moses. God created proficiency where there had been a stammering tongue.

For those of us who feel as if we cannot do what God has called us to do, that we've not got enough talent, education, or ability, let us hear God's Word to Moses, because it is His Word for us.

Exodus 4:12 – "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (NIV)

Prayer: Creator God, enable us to trust You to provide what we lack as we step forward to serve You, for we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Cassandra Wessel <casswessel4319@gmail.com>
Tionesta, Pennsylvania, USA
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