Listen to Devotion

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you.”

Graduation ceremonies have recently concluded on many college and high school campuses in the United States. Many graduates heard speeches that sounded something like this: “You’ve accomplished great things. You can do anything you set your mind to! Now go out there and chase your dreams. Nothing can stop you now!”

With a diploma in hand and pride in their hearts, many may believe it. But for most, the day will come when they realize that they can’t do everything. They just don’t have the skills, strength, or qualifications.

Unlike those graduates, Moses hadn’t been planning for this day. He’d been minding his own business as a shepherd after fleeing from Egypt forty years earlier. But God wanted to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, where they were slaves. And he wanted Moses to lead them out.

Moses felt utterly unqualified. “Who am I?” he asked God. He rightly recognized that he didn’t really have the qualifications needed for such important work.

God has given us great work to do. He has called us to serve him wherever we are. We serve him by loving our neighbor, caring for our family, listening to a friend, and providing for our community through our honest labor every day. Through such tasks, God is working to show his love to the world.

Who am I, that I should do such noble work? To that, God gives the same answer he gave to Moses, “I will be with you.” He came to be with us when he sent his Son to rescue us from our own pride and excuses by entering enemy territory to die for us. He promises that he is with us when we hear his Word and respond in prayer. He promises never to leave our side, as he protects us from harm and blesses the work of our hands for his purposes.

No, we are not worthy to do God’s work. But by his blood, Jesus makes us worthy, and with his presence, he accomplishes great things through us.

Father, thank you for accomplishing your loving work through me. Take away my fears and excuses and make me willing to serve you by serving my neighbor. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.