God’s Sufficiency

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).

Moses’ Story of failure and success

Was there ever something you believe God called you to do that you felt you were insufficient to accomplish? God deliberately puts people in impossible situations. He wants us to reach out to Him for help.

Consider Moses. He was born and raised in Egypt. Moses grew up in the care of his adoptive mother, Pharaoh’s daughter. As such, Moses wore clothes that might have looked like an Egyptian. However, since Moses was of Jewish heritage, he grew up wanting to help his people.

Egypt where the story begins

There were thousands of other Hebrews living in Egypt. Originally, they began small in number, As guests of Joseph they were invited to stay in Egypt.

Back then, the Hebrews were welcomed warmly. Now, the Egyptians saw them as a potential threat. So the Egyptians made the Hebrews conscripted laborers.

“And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand” (Exodus 2:11-12).

Moses’s helping was not helpful

In the mind of Moses, helping the Hebrews meant doing something for them. Moses thought killing an Egyptian would be interpreted by the Hebrews as helpful.

“And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, ‘Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?’ And he said, ‘Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? Intendest thou to kill me, as thou killed the Egyptian?’ And Moses feared, and said, ‘Surely this thing is known’” (Exodus 2:13-14).

Lesson One

Moses began to see there was more to being helpful than slaying one Egyptian. First, you have to convince the people you want to help and you are worthy of their trust. Moses grasped his inability to do anything to help his people. His resources were not sufficient for the job.

“Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well” (Exodus 2:15). Desperate to preserve his own life, Moses left Egypt, confused.

Running away never solves anything

When Moses arrived in Midian, he noticed some lady shepherdess having difficulty watering their sheep because of competition with other male shepherds.  Sizing up the situation, Moses intervened to help the lady shepherdess.

Being content to settle there, Moses took on the job of caring for the sheep of the shepherdess. The woman brought Moses to her father.  Later, she became his wife and they had a son. Forty years Moses stays in the wilderness.

Unexpected Change of location 

One day Moses led the flock to a new location. There he saw something odd. A bush was on fire, but the leaves of the bush remained unchanged, as though they were not on fire.

Moses stepped closer to examine this strange phenomenon and heard a voice from the bush. There was no one in this deserted place except Moses. Who could be talking to him?

The voice said “Moses, Moses.” Moses replied, ‘Here am I’” (Exodus 3:4). The voice spoke again, saying ‘I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face: for he was afraid to look upon God” (Exodus 3:6).

God calling Moses 

God was responding to the Hebrews who prayed to Him, asking for His help in their dire situation as slaves in bondage. He was commissioning Moses to lead His people out of Egypt and to a land God would give them to be their land as free people (Exodus 3:7-10).

First, Moses would need to go back to Egypt to talk with the leaders of the Hebrews. Then he would go confront the new Pharaoh to tell him the Hebrews would all be leaving.

Moses was stunned! He wanted some reassurance he wasn’t making up a crazy story in his mind. Moses asked God who shall I say told me to do this? (Exodus 3:13). God’s response was ‘I AM THAT I AM:’ and He said, ‘Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I am hath sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14).

Moses Felt Totally Unqualified

For the past forty years, Moses had been quiet, behind the scenes caring for sheep in Midian. Now Moses would be in a prominent position of leadership. He wondered how he qualified for such important work, especially since he had completely failed in his self-appointed role of helping the Hebrews back in Egypt.

Feeling overwhelmed, Moses switched gears, trying hard to convince God he was not the right man for the job. But God was not deterred, informing Moses He was going forward with His plan. God Himself would help Moses every step of the way.

This mission became a masterpiece of God’s work. The Israelites left Egypt as free people, thanks to God’s ingenuity and the obedience of Moses.

God will provide what we need when He calls us

Is there something God has given you to do and feel inadequate to perform? Let God take charge. He will do a marvelous job when you let Him lead. This is His project. He chose you as His special instrument. He is sufficient to meet your needs. As you start He will enable you throughout the process to complete the job He has called you to do.

Shirley Logsdon

For more of Moses story:

Moses-Covered by the hand of God