When God called Moses from the burning bush, Moses had two questions: Who am I? and Who are You? These are questions we all need to consider as we seek to follow God’s will for our lives.

“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…’” Exodus 3:11-12 (NIV)
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Moses asked, “Who am I?” What he was really asking was, “Do I have the ability to do this?” Moses wasn’t sure he was up to the task God was giving him. He was afraid to go before Pharaoh; he was a lowly shepherd. Why would Pharaoh listen to him?

Think about the tasks God has given you.
How do you feel inadequate for them?

Listen to the answer God gave to Moses. He said, “I will be with you.” It did not matter who Moses was; what mattered was that God would be with him. He would equip him as he obeyed.

God didn’t try to convince Moses that he was qualified because he wasn’t. God was assigning Moses to the daunting task of ordering Pharaoh to let His people go. But Moses had speech problems. Why would God call someone who struggled to speak clearly to go before a king? – Why? So, God would receive the glory, not Moses.

God often calls us to tasks that are bigger than our abilities. He does this so that we will rely on Him. We are His children, and He is always with us. He will enable us to perform assignments one faith step at a time.

“Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.” Exodus 3:13-15 (NIV)

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Moses’ next question – “Who are You?” Maybe Moses was thinking, “Ok, You say that You will be with me, but who are You? What are You like? How will Your presence enable me to do what You are asking me to do?”

If a stranger volunteers to help us with a task, we want to know something about them before we agree to their help. Moses recognized that it was God that was speaking to him, but he did not have the deep personal relationship that he needed in order to trust God completely. He needed to know more about God, so he asked, “Who are You?”

God didn’t scold Moses for this question. He answered it and revealed all that Moses needed to know to trust that His presence would be sufficient. God said, “I am who I am.” This is the Hebrew name of God – YHWH. In our English translations, it is Jehovah. This name reveals God as the self-existent, self-sufficient, and sovereign One. It refers to God as both Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.

It shows Him to be the Lord of all of history, as well as, Lord of all that is currently happening. He is the ever active, ever present God who is active in the lives of His children. Moses could trust that God’s presence would qualify him to go before Pharaoh. It didn’t matter who Moses was, what mattered was that Jehovah God would go with him.

The same is true for us. God said, “This is my name forever.” He is Jehovah, and we belong to Him. He is the One who calls us to tasks and enables us to complete them. Because nothing is impossible for Him, no task He assigns is impossible for us.

God will never call us to a task and leave us to ourselves to complete it. He lives in us and equips us to do all that He desires. As we learn and acknowledge that He is Jehovah, the One that is ever presence and always active, we will be able to trust that He will fulfill His plan through us as we walk in obedience.

“Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, …” Exodus 3:16 (NIV)

God’s next word to Moses was, “Go.” Once we have heard God speak, understand who God is, and realize He will be with us, we have enough information to step out in faith. We can confidently perform any task God gives us.

How has God showed you who He is?
How have you been enabled by Him?
How can I pray for you in the task God has assigned?