Exodus 3

Man!! I promise that I've read this chapter and know this story, but it just did something for me today! Yes, Courtney I SHALL NOT GO EMPTY!! There is so much to be gleaned from this chapter especially because this is in the time that God appeared so freely and tangibly to His people. So, in reading this, God began to reveal to me that there is a PROCESS to everything. I know that we often get caught up in trying to find our way in this world especially when trying to balance the demands of being a young christian and interacting with society. We often mistake our purpose for things that we enjoy instead of things that we are burdened or tasked to do. We discount our spiritual gifts as weaknesses when they are not what we want them to be. We have seen so far how although Moses was brought up in the Egyptian way, he was always a Hebrew at heart. He had a heart that was BURDENED because of the injustices and cruelties placed on these people. I think that watching the way that God walked Moses through his process is a good way for us to think about what work we are supposed to be doing in the kingdom. I'm sure if we think on it long enough, we can recall the moment(s) that led us to understand where and how we should be operating. Whether or not we are doing it, is a totally different story but just a point to ponder. So, here is what stood out to me (bear with me, I know it's gonna be a bit lengthy):

1. PROMPT-2 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. 3 Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.”
4 So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”
And he said, “Here I am.”

to assist or encourage (a hesitating speaker) to say something;(of an event or fact) cause or bring about (an action or feeling)

We see here that we cannot act until God tells us to move. He does so by something that only we can see,hear or understand. As I was reading this, I just kept thinking about the fact that if I saw a bush on fire, but perfectly preserved and THEN heard the bush talking, I would've BEEN gone! I wouldn't have stuck around for that, but we see that Moses was curious about it. He wanted to explore the reasons behind it and for that reason was able to commune with God. In order to get started and in the way that God wants us to go, we must be PROMPTED by Him or an event of His doing.

2. PURPOSE-7 And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.

God has equipped us with certain spiritual gifts that culminate to help us fulfill our purpose. He has designed for each of us a task that we must carry out, but in order to do so, we must be operating in the gift He provided us. We see in these verses that Moses' purpose was to free the slaves. God revealed that task to Him, and did so while revealing to Moses that his life purpose was to become a leader.

3. PROMISE-"8 So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites.

Each of us has been promised something by God. Generally, we know it and will know when it comes to pass. That is why it is so important for us to remain in tune with God. If we don't speak to Him, we will never hear from Him about what he has promised us. God prompted Moses, provided him with a purpose, and then gave him a promise to ensure that he would know when he had carried out his task dutifully.

4. PROVIDENCE-12 So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

divine guidance or care;timely preparation for future eventualities;the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power

This is the one thing that I often fail to remember. When things begin to get difficult, it seems like God is nowhere to be found. Like Courtney was saying we can lose sight when things start going on around us, but if we remember that throughout the process God said that he will always be with us, even until the end of time. I have to make a conscious effort to not fret and KNOW that he hears my cry just like he heard the Israelites.

5. PROVISION-14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 20 So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go. 21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. 22 But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”

PROVISION!!! God will go AHEAD of us and prepare for us. When we don't know what we need, He does and he has already approved it for us. Not only did God provide a plan to make Pharaoh let the slaves go, he provided the increase. YOU SHALL NOT GO EMPTY!!!! That is simply powerful. This was really a wake up call for me, because I often try to "help" God and have a backup plan in case things don't "work." (don't be like me!) The bible says that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER...so in the way of God, there is nothing that "doesn't work." I have to step outside of myself and my agenda and realize that the PROCESS IS GOD'S PROCESS! It requires me to be nothing but obedient and humble throughout. Man, I needed this! I love yall. I hope that this made some type of sense to yall lol. Have a great day!