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Charles B. Fleming [Vol. 2, 2007]
One of the things we cannot help noticing as we read the Bible is the degree of fear or doubt that many people had when God began to use them. God understands our fears and so when sending us out, he often stresses one simple fact: His presence!
One example is in Exodus 3: 5-12 where God introduces himself as the God who had been with Moses’ ancestors (v 6). Then in verses 7 he assures Moses that he is with Israel in their present distress (I have seen… have heard… am concerned). In verse 8 he reveals himself as coming forth to lead them into a better future. In verse 10 He then sends Moses to be with and for his people (“So now, go. I am sending you…”).
Moses sounds like many of us today, “Who am I that I should go….” (v 11). God replies, “I will be with you” (v 12). Today, God presents us with the same command and the same assurance:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them …. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 28: 19-20)
The way to break through our hesitancy to share the Gospel is to do what Moses did. With all his fears and doubts he got involved. He went to Pharaoh… and the rest is history! It was in the doing of God’s will that he began to understand and learn how to represent God to others. Years later, as David reflected on the history of God’s dealing with his people and on his own personal experiences with God, he concluded that a good understanding have they who DO, or follow God’s precepts (Psalm 119: 10). Understanding is the result of two things: listening to God and doing what he says.
When it comes to sharing the Good News, it is not enough to simply read the Bible. We must be willing to take the first steps in obeying God’s command to go to others with the Good News. That includes receiving the evangelism training offered at church. It includes applying that training in our daily lives. It also means recognizing that we will always need to depend on God for the courage and strength to do that. Moses understood that. Even late in his ministry – after experiencing the ten plagues, and after crossing the Red Sea – Moses makes this vital request:
“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you." (Ex. 33: 13)
Notice the essence of Moses’ prayer:
- He had a lifelong passion to know God better. God was the most important person in his life. Pleasing God became his number one desire.
- He understood that one way to know God better is to join Him in what he is doing. When we, today, go on mission for Christ we experience His empowering presence in a way that helps to transform us. We learn to trust him to give us the words to say and the things to do. We gain the confidence that he equips us as we join him.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations … surely I am with you always” |
