January 26

Who Am I?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 17:1-5 | Exodus 2:11-3:22 | Matthew 17:10-27 | Proverbs 5:7-14

Today’s Scripture Focus: Exodus 2-3

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).

God appeared to Moses in an extraordinary way: he appeared in the form of a bush that keeps on burning without any signs of being consumed.

God called Moses to a huge task: to lead the people of Israel out of slavery and into the Promised Land. Leading any large group of people is filed with challenges, but this one also required confronting one of the most powerful rulers of history: the Pharaoh of Egypt.

Confronted by the difficulties ahead, Moses began to doubt his abilities. He began to question whether he was really up to the task. He expresses his self-doubt and insecurities with a question many of us can relate to: “Who am I?” 

God doesn’t answer that question directly. Yet his reply more than answers the question. His reply? “I will be with you.”

When confronted by a huge task, the real question is not “Who am I?”, the real question is “God are you with me?” It’s not a matter of who I am, but of who my God is. I may not be able to do it by myself, but if God is with me, I can do whatever he calls me to do.

Whenever God calls us to do something–especially something that will stretch us, something we are not sure we can do–be assured that God will be with you. He will be there to empower you, to give you wisdom and to comfort you. He will be there to lift you up when you fall down.

Don’t limit yourself by self-doubt and insecurity. God is with you. That’s all that really matters.

Emmanuel, thank you for calling me, gifting me, and providing the opportunities that stretch me. Remind me that it isn’t who I am that matters. What really matters is that I know that you are with me today and always. Amen.