Exodus 4:10-17
Rev. Clark Lynn Callender, 6/13/10
Someone once said that: “Every morning, the only sure thing any of us can say about the day that awaits us is that God’s love arrived there before us. For the providential care of God for his children always rises long before the sun.”
The only sure thing: God’s loving care running ahead of us, awaiting us... This is something of what I’d like to talk about this morning: How God cares for us, provides for us, every day.
In our text today we pick things up were we left off two weeks ago: Moses, now 80 years old, is hiding out in the land of Midian and God has come to him and called him to return to Egypt to lead the people of Israel out of captivity into freedom. This being where the “second act” in the story concludes: With the call of Moses and the question of whether or not he will accept. The third act to begin when Moses indeed answers the call and heads back to Egypt to initiate the Exodus.
However, long before we get to that, as we noted last time: Right at this particular moment, Moses just desperately wants to get out of this calling! The last chapter and a half has been spent with him coming up with all sorts of excuses why he can’t serve, and in our text today he offers his final reason, namely: That he’s not a good speaker.
Now there’s some question as to whether or not Moses had a problem with stuttering, or some other speech impediment; but whatever, basically, he’s trying to get out of a leadership role due to one of the most common of all human phobias: the fear of PUBLIC SPEAKING. As comedian Jerry Seinfeld once observed:
“Studies show that, by far, the #1 fear in America is speaking in public. A distant second being the fear of death. Therefore, it only stands to reason that, at any given funeral, most of the people present would rather be the diseased than the one giving the eulogy.”
God has called Moses to a great task, but he is running scared. The fear of public speaking has him terrified. But God has a solution: Moses’ brother Aaron is eloquent, a great speaker. “Hey Moses, why not let him do the talking for you?!” It’s perfect! And in God’s offering of this simple solution, there’s this one tiny little detail in the text that caught my attention – it’s verse 14 – God says to Moses:
Aaron will do the “official” public speaking for Moses and, as God says, “Even now he is coming out to meet you...”
Think about that...
“Even now he is coming out to meet you...” A little detail with profound repercussions! God is essentially saying that he’s already got Aaron on the way. That before God had even come to Moses, before Moses had ever agreed to answer the call, God had already gotten Aaron on the way to help him. God has been at work providing what Moses would need before Moses even knew he needed it. The fulfillment of which we see just a few verses later: Aaron, moved by the Holy Spirit, has come out into the wilderness to find his long lost brother Moses. And they rejoice in seeing one another after 40 years apart.
All from a simple line, nine simple words, that speak volumes: “Even now he is coming out to meet you.” Here God is showing Moses how he will provide, and is providing, for all his needs. And in so doing, offering the same to us: Showing us how, when we face seemingly overwhelming obstacles, how God provides for us.
What do we learn here?
A few thoughts regarding God’s provision for us in times of need...
(I)
First: GOD KNOWS WHAT WE NEED BEFORE WE ASK.
Obviously, the first thing that drives our text here this morning is, as mentioned, that God has been active providing for Moses’ needs before Moses even knew he needed them – long before he needed them. God got Aaron moving ahead of time. And that’s the first great lesson for us all here:
When we are in need, God is moving ahead of time. God knows what we need before we ask. God is moving people, getting things into place, to help us – long before we may even know we need help! We may not be able to see this; but, I believe, the first thing this text is trying to get us to do is to TRUST in this – to live in this kind of confidence daily: To know that whenever I face some overwhelming, terrifying situation, God is there AHEAD OF ME. God knows what I need and is providing it. What I need is, somehow, already here – I need only look around! One author writes:
“After months of asking, I finally decided to repair the roof on my mother-in-law’s patio. We made a material list and my wife came with me to Home Depot to buy the supplies. In order to repair the roof I would need two-by-fours about fourteen feet in length. I purchased these, along with the other supplies we needed and pushed the cart out to my pickup truck.
“I loaded the material into the truck and proceeded to strap down the two-by-fours on the roll bar. But I had difficulty in securing the long boards. It seemed that no matter how I tied the boards down they would slip, length-wise, through the straps. After several attempts at different methods frustration began to set in. But I realized that if I put a nail through the strap and into the two-by-fours they would not slip.
“I began to go through my truck looking for a nail, any nail. I looked in my toolbox and glove box and behind the seat. I looked everywhere and did not find a single nail, which is unusual because I am always doing something that requires a nail and always seem to have some around.
“Frustration began to creep in. I didn’t want to do this project in the first place, and now this annoyance. My ‘well known” temper began to take hold.
“’What’s the problem?’ my wife asked.
“I just need one stupid nail!’ I snapped. “I can’t believe I’m going to have to go back in the store and buy a whole box of nails just for this!”
“With that, my wife said, ‘Will this do?’ And she proceeded to take out of her pocket a rusty old roofing nail.
“’Where did you get that?’ I asked.
“She replied, ‘As we came out of the store I noticed it on the ground. I didn’t want anyone to run over it and get a flat tire, so I picked it up. I didn’t see a garbage can so I just figured I’d throw it away when we got home!’
“Well, the roofing nail she picked up would work just fine. It was old and rusted and slightly bent, but that did not prevent it from doing the job. Greatly humbled, in just a few seconds the nail was driven in and the boards were secure. Without complications, without trials, without the fanfare of problem solving, with just a few short strokes of a hammer all my problems were solved.
“God had supplied my needs in the store and as we left the store. He supplied my needs that day as my wife picked up that rusty nail. Before I even knew I needed a nail, God supplied it. It was lying right there, waiting for me.
“Today, that rusty nail has a place of honor in my wife’s china hutch. It’s there to remind me that God is always reaching out to supply my needs ahead of time if I will just relax - quit flipping out and look around.”
Thought #1 regarding God’s provision for us: Quit flipping out and look around! That is: GOD KNOWS WHAT WE NEED BEFORE WE ASK.
(II)
Thought #2: GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY.
You know, there’s an old story that is told of a man and his father who were out walking one day. The man was bemoaning all the problems in his life and especially how God didn’t seem to be doing anything to help. Finally, questioning God’s wisdom and the whole arrangement of the universe (that seemed to be against him) the man said, “God doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing!” The father asked, “What do you mean?” The man pointed to a tree and replied, “Well, look at this giant tree here. It gives forth only tiny acorns. While over here (pointing to a garden) this tiny plant gives forth huge watermelons. It doesn’t make sense.”
Just then an acorn fell out of the tree and hit the man on the head. He looked upward, annoyed. As he did so, his father tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Son, thank God that wasn’t a watermelon!”
God knows what is best – even if it doesn’t always make immediate sense to us. This is the basis for the second point here...
Obviously, in the text, God provides for Moses’ need but it’s not exactly what Moses wanted, what he had requested. In fact, it’s not at all what Moses had requested. Moses wanted OUT ENTIRELY. God refused that request. What God instead did was to provide a way for Moses to fulfill the difficult challenge he had been called to – and thus be part of far greater blessings.
Second lesson here: God provides for our needs but not necessarily the way we desire or request. Sometimes God gives us exactly what we desire, sometimes God gives us nothing of what we desire. In fact, sometimes, he may give us the exact opposite of what we want – not what makes us happy but what hurts, not what takes us out of hardship but takes us through it; but we need to realize that God knows best and is always working on the greatest possible blessing for us and giving that. How are we so insistent on what we’re demanding that we’re missing the greater thing God is giving – because, on first glance it goes against what we want?
“God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform.”
Have you ever heard that saying? It comes from a poem – later made into a hymn – by author William Cowper. The story behind this poem is interesting:
William Cowper was a Christian who lived in England in the 18th century, and he often suffered from bouts of severe depression.
Well, in 1772, after a series of tragedies, he had sunk to the depths of despair. One foggy night he called for a horse drawn carriage and asked to be taken to London Bridge on the Thames River. He was so overcome by depression that he intended to commit suicide. But after 2 hours of driving through the mist, Cowper’s coachman reluctantly confessed that he was lost. Disgusted by the delay, cursing the inept coachman who couldn’t even find London Bridge, Cowper left the carriage and decided to complete the trip on foot.
After walking only a short distance, though, he suddenly came to a building. He looked up and realized that it was his own house! The carriage driver had been wandering in circles!
Immediately Cowper recognized the restraining hand of God in it all. God had saved him – by sending him the very thing had had been cursing! He wanted a good carriage driver... God sent him an inept one! For the first time in many months, he laughed. And with gratitude he sat down and penned these words:
“God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
“Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.
“Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessing on your head.
“Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
“His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will the flower.
“Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain:
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.”
Don’t look simply for what you want. Look, better, for how God may be at work on a far greater blessing – in what you don’t want. And open your heart to its challenges and gifts! Thought #2 regarding God’s provision for us in time of need: GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY. And finally...
(III)
Thought #3: GOD WORKS THROUGH PEOPLE.
In the end, notice how God solves Moses’ problem of poor speaking skills not by snapping his fingers and magically making him eloquent; not by sending him a voice coach; but rather, by sending his brother. God sends him Aaron to help him. Notice also, in turn, how Moses becomes the “answer” to Aaron’s problems: Living in slavery, Moses will be the way out.
In both cases, reciprocally, God answers need through people. And this is the final lesson here: GOD WORKS THROUGH PEOPLE. That is, yes, occasionally God miraculously “plunks down” in our lives something that we need. But more often than not, God provides for us by drawing us into contact with people, bringing people into our lives, bringing us to them – where what we need appears. It is in getting in contact with people that God’s provision best arrives. Most especially as here: With each seeking to be a blessing for another that they receive the provision they each need.
The final point – simply put: In seeking God’s provision for yourself, most especially in time of overwhelming need, get out beyond yourself, seek contact, get involved – strive to give to another and they will give to you! A noted Christian author writes:
“It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square. Early November weather in New York City holds only the slightest hint of the bitter chill of late December and January, but it’s enough to send the masses crowding indoors to vie for available space and warmth.
“For a musician, it’s the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I’m told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right. Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing.
“It was a fun, low-pressure gig - I was playing keyboard and singing backup for my friend who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. We mostly did pop songs from the ‘40s to the ‘90s with a few original tunes thrown in. During our emotional rendition of the classic, ‘If You Don’t Know Me by Now,’ I noticed a lady sitting in one of the lounge chairs across from me, swaying to the beat and singing along.
“After the tune was over, she approached me. ‘I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?’ she asked.
‘No,’ I replied. ‘We love it when the audience joins in. Especially when someone has a great voice like yours. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?’ To my delight, she accepted my invitation. ‘Choose a song,’ I said. ‘What are you in the mood to sing?’
“’Well... do you know any hymns?’ she inquired
“Hymns? This woman didn’t know who she was dealing with. I had cut my teeth on hymns. Before I was even born, I was going to church. I gave our guest singer a knowing look. ‘Name one,’ I said.
“’Oh, I don’t know.,’ she answered. ‘There are so many good ones. You pick one.’
“’Okay,’ I replied. ‘How about “His Eye is on the Sparrow”?’
‘My new friend was silent, her eyes averted. Then she fixed her eyes on mine again and said, ‘Yeah. Let’s do that one,’ slowly nodding her head.
“She put down her purse, straightened her jacket and faced the center of the shop. With my two-bar setup, she began to sing the opening line: ‘Why should I be discouraged? Why should the shadows come?’
The audience of coffee drinkers suddenly stopped and was transfixed. Even the gurgling noises of the cappuccino machine ceased as the employees stopped what they were doing to listen. The song rose to its concluding chorus: ‘I sing because I’m happy; I sing because I’m free. For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.’
“When the last note was sung, the applause crescendoed to a deafening roar that would have rivaled a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall. Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout over the din, ‘Oh, y’all go back to your coffee! I didn’t come in here to do a concert! I just came in here to get somethin’ to drink, just like you!’
“But the ovation continued. I embraced my new friend. ‘You, my dear, have made my whole year! That was beautiful!’
“’Well, it’s funny that you picked that particular hymn,’ she said.
“’Why is that?’ I asked.
“’Well...’ she hesitated again, ‘that was my daughter’s favorite song.’
“’Really!’ I exclaimed.
“’Yes,’ she said, and then she grabbed my hands. By this time, the applause had subsided and it was business as usual – the woman continued: ‘She was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week.’
“I said the first thing that found its way through my stunned silence: ‘Are you going to be okay?’
“She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands. ‘I’m going to be more than okay. God sending me you and that song was him telling me that.’ With that, she picked up her bag and then she was gone.
“Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffee shop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this wonderful lady just happened to walk into that particular shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns to choose from, I just happened to pick the very hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before? I refuse to believe it.
“God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it’s no stretch for me to imagine that he could reach into a coffee shop in midtown Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival meeting. It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting Him and singing His songs, and reaching out to the people that come our way, everything’s going to be more than okay. Get out. Get involved in the lives of people.”
“Every morning, the only sure thing any of us can say about the day that awaits us is that God’s love arrived here before us. For the providential care of God for his children always rises long before the sun.”
When, like Moses, the life before you seems overwhelming – let God provide for your needs as he did all those years ago. Remember: God knows what you need before you ask. God moves in a mysterious way. And God works through people.
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