When Excuses Sound Reasonable: Trusting God’s Call

 

"When Excuses Sound Reasonable: Trusting God’s Call"

Text: Exodus 3:11–4:17

Have you ever felt unqualified for something important—something bigger than you? Maybe you were asked to lead, to speak up, to take on a role you didn’t feel ready for. Most of us have. And in those moments, we often offer what seem like perfectly reasonable excuses.

Moses did the same. In fact, his objections to God’s call are so familiar, so human, that we might be tempted to sympathize with him completely.

But the story of Moses shows us something powerful: God is not interested in how qualified we feel. He’s interested in what He can do through us—if we trust Him.

Reasonable Excuses, Divine Response

Let’s look at Moses' objections in Exodus 3–4:

1. “Who am I?” (Ex. 3:11)
   Moses begins with a deep sense of inadequacy. He’s a shepherd, not a diplomat. He tried to help his people once and failed.

   God’s reply? “I will be with you.”
   God doesn’t boost Moses’ ego; He shifts the focus. The success of the mission won’t depend on who Moses is, but on who God is.

2. “What if they don’t believe me?” (Ex. 4:1)
   A fair question—after all, Moses had no official credentials.

   God responds by giving him signs—a staff turned to a snake, a leprous hand healed, water turned to blood.
   In other words, God equips him with more than words: He provides evidence of divine backing.

3. “I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Ex. 4:10)
   Moses is convinced he’s the wrong man for a speaking job.

   God replies, “Who gave human beings their mouths?” and promises, “I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

4. “Please send someone else.” (Ex. 4:13)
   At the core of all his excuses is fear and reluctance.

   God becomes angry—but even then, He accommodates Moses by sending Aaron to speak for him.

Each time Moses gives an excuse, God doesn’t say the concern is totally false—but He reminds Moses that the call isn’t based on human ability. It’s based on divine power and presence.

Lessons for Us Today

1. God Calls Imperfect People.
   The Bible is full of them—Abraham the doubter, David the sinner, Jeremiah the weeping prophet, Peter the denier, Paul the persecutor. Why? Because God delights in showing His strength through human weakness.

2. Excuses Often Reveal Fear, Not Fact.
   Moses’ excuses sounded logical, but underneath was fear. That same fear grips us—fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of not being enough. But faith begins where fear ends—with trusting God more than our own perceptions.

3. God Provides What We Need—When We Obey.
   God didn’t give Moses everything up front. As Moses stepped forward in obedience, God supplied what he needed. It’s the same with us. Provision often follows obedience.

4. God’s Presence is Enough.
   The answer to every excuse was the same: “I will be with you.” That’s the same promise Jesus gave to His disciples in Matthew 28:20—“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Trusting the God Who Calls

If we only followed God’s call when we felt fully ready, few of us would ever take the first step. But the call of God doesn’t depend on our confidence; it depends on His presence and power.

So, what is God asking of you today?
Is He calling you to step out in ministry, to serve, to lead, to speak, to forgive, to change direction?

You might have a list of reasons why you can’t. Moses did too.
But in God’s hands, even the most ordinary person can do extraordinary things.

Let’s lay down our excuses and pick up trust.
Let’s believe that the One who calls us is faithful—and He will do it.

“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Prayer:

Lord, You know our hearts. You know our fears, our doubts, and the excuses we carry. Help us lay them down at Your feet. Teach us to trust not in our ability but in Your power. Use us, Lord, not because we are able, but because You are. In Jesus’ name, amen.

More: EXODUS - Sabbath School Lesson 2 - The Burning Bush

The Excuses of Moses: When God Calls, He Equips

 

"When God Calls, He Equips"

Text: Exodus 4:1–17

Have you ever felt inadequate for a task you knew was important—maybe something you believed God was asking you to do? Maybe you’ve had a sense of calling but felt overwhelmed by your weaknesses. If so, you are in good company. Moses, one of the most revered leaders in the Bible, experienced this same inner struggle in Exodus 4:1–17. Here, we see a conversation between God and Moses that reveals both human hesitation and divine patience.

The Excuses of Moses (Exodus 4:1, 10, 13)

God had already called Moses in Exodus 3, but here in chapter 4, Moses begins to push back. He gives three excuses:

1. "They won’t believe me" (v.1) – Moses feared rejection, doubting that the Israelites would believe that God had sent him.

2. "I’m not eloquent" (v.10) – Moses focused on his perceived weakness—his lack of speaking ability, whether due to a speech impediment or insecurity.

3. "Please send someone else" (v.13) – Ultimately, Moses just didn’t want to go. He doubted himself—and, indirectly, doubted God.

These excuses are not unfamiliar to us. We, too, fear rejection, feel underqualified, or just want someone else to do what God is asking of us.

The Signs God Gave (Exodus 4:2–9)

To assure Moses, God gives three miraculous signs:

1. The staff turns into a snake and back (vv.2–4) – Symbolizing God's power over nature and fear, and Moses' authority.

2. His hand becomes leprous and is healed (vv.6–7) – A sign of God's power to afflict and restore; a reminder that God controls even our bodies.

3. Water from the Nile turns to blood (v.9) – A powerful warning and sign of judgment, especially against Egypt's gods.

Each sign was not just for show but carried spiritual weight. These miracles were designed to affirm that the God of their ancestors was truly at work through Moses.

God’s Response to Moses' Insecurity (vv.11–12)

When Moses says he’s not a good speaker, God answers with a powerful question:

“Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? ... Is it not I, the Lord?” (v.11)

In other words, “I know your limitations better than you do—and I’m still calling you.”

God promises, “I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (v.12). What grace! But even then, Moses resists, and finally God becomes angry—not because Moses was weak, but because Moses was unwilling to trust.

Still, God doesn’t abandon him. Instead, He offers Aaron, Moses’ brother, to go with him and be his spokesman. God adapts to Moses’ weakness but doesn’t remove the call.

Lessons for Us

1. God knows our weaknesses—but still calls us.
   He doesn’t wait for perfect people. He uses the willing, not just the qualified.

2. God equips those He calls.
   He provides signs, help, words, and people—whatever is needed to carry out His will.

3. Excuses rob us of experiencing God’s power.
   Fear is natural, but faith must respond. God is patient, but He expects obedience.

4. God’s call is about His power, not our ability.
   When we focus on our inadequacies, we forget the One who empowers us. God didn’t need Moses to be perfect—He needed him to trust.

Maybe you, like Moses, are wrestling with God’s call in your life. Maybe you feel too weak, too afraid, too imperfect. But God still says, “Go.” And He promises, “I will be with you.”

Don’t let fear stop you from following God’s purpose. Trust Him. Step forward in faith. Because when God calls, He doesn’t just send you—He goes with you. Amen!

More: EXODUS - Sabbath School Lesson 2 - The Burning Bush