Faith/Doubt by Brother Curtis Hansen

         Before we get into the message this morning, let us talk about the Bible. Now the Bible can be seen with portions almost as an instruction manual by some. Instructions on how to be saved, how to pray, how to be healed, etc. Often we may have this false idea or notion of how we should look and sound in our walk. What we need to be from the carnal idea of what counts as a "good christian". If we somehow meet this ideal, we will be full of peace and happiness day to day. It would be somehow easy to just obtain whatever we request from God. Our carnal self can get so wrapped up in that idea that if we never feel a sense of accomplishment in our appearance, doubt will settle in.  So, while you can view the Bible as an instruction manual, you should know that the Bible as a whole is a model of who God is and it teaches you in who he is. Recognizing the battles going on within you and not ignoring them, we can apply who God is in the Bible and can find out who we are. I mean God in both the Old Testament and New Testament not just the New.

        Our scripture reading is going to come from Exodus chapter 4 and we will start reading at verse 10.

        10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

        11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who taketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

        12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

        13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou will send.

        14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will he will be glad in his heart.

        15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

        16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

        17 And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shall do signs.

        The scripture is an ongoing conversation between Moses and God that had started in chapter 3. Let us review this portion. Moses says that he cannot speak eloquent as is in ever. Not in the past as a kid, nor now, or even when he is even older than at the time of this conversation. Moses begins this exchange with an objection  Moses raising this objection is how most of us react to God when he has requested something of us. Now, God was wanting Moses to lead his people out of Egypt, to liberate the Israelites. Many years prior to the event in the scripture, Moses had done the carnal moves in freeing his people. He struck down and killed an Egyptian, but it was the hazing by the Israelite slaves which caused him to flee from Egypt. Every moment in Moses' life has been a fight to survive. 

        As believers we need to learn how to separate and qualify ourselves when God asks us of something. The Lord may say something over you that's beneficial to you, but it is going to happen on his time, not on yours. God's purpose will always be accomplished either in your life or the world. The battle playing out over the verses we are focused on is Moses versus himself. Almost every believer has that fight still to this day.

        War of Words  Moses is having a problem in speaking. Words will effect Moses. He dealt with many words over the course of 40 years in the wilderness moving toward the promised land. The Israelites grumbled and complained on just about everything during that journey. When you react carnally and of the world to a situation, yes it is bad but there is redemption for you. Moses is having the struggle of embracing his destiny but he is having problems overcoming his history. 

        Let us think briefly on creation back in Genesis with a quick summary. Day one God created light. Two was land and sea. Day three was plants and trees. Fourth day was the sun and moon. Fifth day were birds and fishes. Day six were the animals that populate the land. Out of everything in this creation God spoke into existence, only one creation spoke back. One creation which talked back and often raises an objection. God is speaking a generational blessing in your life, yet you are focused on the generational cursing. You will have disputes and arguments over everything including scripture. Keep in mind that every hero of faith had failed no matter how great their end was in life.

        Look back into Exodus 3 for more background of this conversation between God and Moses. There are missing pieces Moses has in the scripture we read. 1) Who am I to go? Why me? 2) Who are you? Who do I say sent me? Moses ran into the desert for 40 years to find himself before this request. 3) What if when I go will they believe me? That question is about the Israelites and not the Egyptians. You too will have doubts and insecurities as well. 4) I have never done this and I am not good at it. First point is preparation while the second point is information. The third point is validation.

        The story of Moses is a good working model for us as believers today much like we should daily model the life of Jesus in our life.