I love how Moses was honest with God about his fears and lack of faith.  I love how he was bold in his requests.  In Exodus 33 – “Moses said to the Lord, ‘You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me.  You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If I have found favor in your eyes, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you…’ ”  God’s response was, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

So interesting.  I can totally relate.  I feel like God is offering up so many opportunities for ministry lately.  People and circumstances are coming out of the woodwork. And that fear can creep in.  How am I going to do this?  It’s too big.  Who will come alongside me to help?  I can get exhausted and overwhelmed just thinking about it.

And who does God offer?  Himself.  His “own dear presence to cheer and to guide”.  He will walk alongside us in whatever He asks of us.  And not only that, but He offers rest in the process.  Which totally goes against what we think of when we think of ministry.  We think of hard work and long hours and endless things that need to be done.  But God offers rest.  Maybe that’s because His “yoke is easy” and His “burden is light”.

In the beginning, Moses shared his doubts in his abilities.  How could God use him? He had no confidence in his speaking skills.  When he gets past that hurdle, he goes on to worry about his knowledge.  How can he lead these people if he doesn’t have all the answers?  And so he asks God to teach him, to reveal Himself to him.  And God does better than that.  He walks with him, giving him insight, direction, wisdom and rest.

What an encouragement!  When God asks us to do something, He promises us Himself.  And somehow when we realize that, fear and doubt bow out.  And our focus can change to what God will do and not what we need to do.  Exodus 34:10b – 11a – “The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you.  Obey what I command you TODAY…”