Moses – Confidence – Call

Moses – Confidence – Call
In Exodus 3:11, Moses asks God a question that reveals a deep lack of confidence: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” This moment, pivotal in Moses’ life, is a profound reminder of how God moves when human confidence fades.
God had not called Moses when he was a prince of Egypt, filled with self-assurance and surrounded by the luxuries of Pharaoh’s court. Instead, He called Moses after 40 years in the wilderness, at a time when Moses had lost confidence in himself and his flesh.
This pattern is not unique to Moses. Over and over, Scripture shows us that God’s power is made perfect in human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Whether it’s Abraham and Sarah, Gideon, or Paul, God calls people not when they are at their strongest but when they are most dependent on Him.
1. Losing Confidence in the Flesh
Before we can explore how God called Moses, we must understand why He waited until Moses lost confidence in himself. The early chapters of Exodus paint a picture of a young Moses, raised as a prince in Egypt. He was educated, powerful, and, by human standards, an ideal leader. Yet when he tried to deliver Israel through his own strength—killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew—he failed miserably (Exodus 2:11-15).
This failure forced Moses to flee into the wilderness, where he spent 40 years as a shepherd. In that time, Moses lost all confidence in his own ability. By the time God appeared to him at the burning bush, Moses’ only response was doubt: “Who am I?”
Biblical Reflection: Abraham and Sarah
This theme is echoed in the story of Abraham and Sarah. When God promised them a son, both were far beyond the age of childbearing. Sarah laughed because she had lost all confidence in her flesh (Genesis 18:12-14). Yet it was precisely in this moment of human impossibility that God’s promise was fulfilled.
Key Point: God waits until human confidence fades so that His glory can shine through our weakness. When we lose confidence in the flesh, we become vessels for God’s power.
2. The Call of God: Confidence in Him
God’s call to Moses in Exodus 3 is not about Moses’ abilities but about God’s sufficiency. When Moses says, “Who am I?” God doesn’t respond by building up Moses’ self-esteem. Instead, He shifts the focus entirely: “I will certainly be with you” (Exodus 3:12).
This is a powerful truth. God’s call is never based on our qualifications but on His presence. He doesn’t need us to be confident in ourselves; He needs us to trust in Him.
Biblical Reflection: Gideon’s Call
Consider Gideon, who described himself as the weakest in his family and the least in his tribe (Judges 6:15). God’s response was similar to His reply to Moses: “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man” (Judges 6:16). Like Moses, Gideon’s confidence came not from his own strength but from God’s presence.
3. Human Weakness, Divine Strength
One of the most profound lessons in Moses’ story is that God often uses human weakness to display His strength. Paul captures this truth in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where he writes, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Moses’ lack of confidence became the very platform for God’s power. Every time Moses doubted—whether it was his ability to speak (Exodus 4:10) or his fear of Pharaoh’s response (Exodus 5:22-23)—God reminded him that the mission was not about Moses’ capability but about God’s power.
Biblical Reflection: Paul’s Thorn
Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” is another example of this principle. Despite pleading with God to remove it, Paul came to understand that his weakness kept him dependent on God. “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Key Point: God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. When we embrace our weakness, we make room for His strength.
4. Cooperation with God’s Plan
When Moses lost confidence in himself, he was finally ready to cooperate with God’s plan. In the wilderness, stripped of his royal status and self-reliance, Moses learned humility. He also learned obedience, tending sheep for 40 years—a task that prepared him to shepherd God’s people.
God’s call requires not just a lack of confidence in ourselves but a willingness to align with His plan. When we hold onto our own ideas and agendas, we resist His work. But when we surrender, we become instruments of His will.
Biblical Reflection: Jonah’s Resistance
Jonah’s story is a cautionary tale about resisting God’s plan. Unlike Moses, Jonah initially ran from God’s call, unwilling to align himself with God’s purpose. It was only after experiencing God’s discipline that Jonah cooperated, preaching repentance to Nineveh.
Key Point: God’s call requires surrender. When we stop clinging to our own plans, we can fully embrace His purpose.
5. The Role of Faith in God’s Call
Moses’ journey is a testament to the power of faith. Though he doubted at first, Moses eventually stepped out in obedience, trusting God to work through him. This faith enabled Moses to confront Pharaoh, lead Israel out of Egypt, and perform miracles by God’s power.
Faith is the bridge between human weakness and divine strength. It allows us to move forward despite our fears and limitations, trusting that God will accomplish His purposes.
Biblical Reflection: Abraham’s Faith
Hebrews 11:8-12 highlights Abraham’s faith, noting that he obeyed God even when he didn’t know where he was going. Abraham’s faith wasn’t rooted in his own ability to fulfill God’s promise but in his belief that God was faithful.
Key Point: Faith doesn’t require confidence in ourselves; it requires confidence in God. When we trust Him, we can step into the impossible.
6. The Transformation of Moses
By the end of Moses’ life, we see a man transformed. The once-doubtful shepherd became a bold leader, interceding for Israel and performing mighty works in God’s name. This transformation was not a result of self-confidence but of God-confidence.
In Deuteronomy 34:10-12, Moses is described as a prophet whom the Lord knew face to face. His life is a testimony to what God can do through someone who surrenders their weakness and allows Him to work.
Reflection: What Is God Calling You to Do?
Like Moses, we all have areas of weakness and doubt. But God’s call is not about our ability; it’s about His presence. When we let go of our self-confidence and lean into Him, we open the door for transformation.
Losing Confidence to Gain Christ
Moses’ story teaches us a profound truth: God works most powerfully when we lose confidence in ourselves. Like Moses, Abraham, Gideon, and Paul, we are called to surrender our weakness and trust in God’s strength.
Philippians 3:3 reminds us, “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” This is the essence of the Christian life—losing confidence in ourselves so that we can gain confidence in Christ.
As you reflect on Moses’ journey, ask yourself:
  • Where am I relying on my own strength instead of God’s?
  • What is God calling me to do that feels impossible?
  • How can I surrender my plans and cooperate with His will?

May we, like Moses, embrace our weakness and trust in God’s power. When we lose confidence in ourselves, we find true confidence in Him. Amen.

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