Questions… I'm super thankful that every time I spend time in God's Word, He is faithful to put before me a question. And often, that question will accomplish one of two things… it either helps me see something about God that I would have otherwise missed; or the question reveals something about me that God does not want me to miss – encouragement, reminder, conviction, etc.
In this series of devotionals aptly titled 'QUESTIONS' (pretty creative I know), I'm sharing with you questions I'm being confronted with as I navigate through God's Word over the next six months with my son, Tristan.
If you missed last week's question, you could catch that one HERE.
As for this week's question… not gonna lie, it was a bit of a doozy.
As I was reading through Exodus, it begins with a very familiar story – Moses arguing with God about not wanting to be used to lead God's people out of Egypt. If you're not familiar with that story, you can read it here in Exodus 3.
As for the question, well, I'm guessing at some point whether we've stated this out loud or not, it's a question we've all asked. See this with me in Exodus 4:1 –
But Moses protested again, "What if they won't believe me or listen to me? What if they say, 'The LORD never appeared to you'?"
Did you catch the question? It wasn’t a question God asked Moses — it was a question Moses asked God… TWICE.
“WHAT IF?”
Not to be overly dramatic here, but those two words are SUPER POWERFUL… and here's why I say that.
Moses had just witnessed a bush burn without being consumed.
Moses had just heard the voice of God call his name.
Moses had just received an invitation to be part of God's Redemptive plan.
And within moments of ALL of that happening, Moses moved into the land of WHAT IF.
Just two words, but WOW – how often have those two words hindered me from entering into and experiencing what GOD WANTS?
What if I look silly?
What if I fail?
What if I don't know what to say?
What if it doesn't work?
What if they don't listen?
WHAT IF…
For Moses, he was not questioning whether God was real or whether God had spoken. For Moses, he was questioning whether what God wanted him to do would actually work. Maybe you can relate with that… I certainly know I can.
WHERE AM I CURRENTLY SAYING, 'WHAT IF?'
That's the question the LORD confronted me with through Moses questioning God. Where is God inviting me to be part of His work, and my response — whether spoken out loud or kept in the confines of my heart — is those two words: "WHAT IF?"
With Kyla?
With my kids?
With my work?
With my neighbor?
With my finances?
With my routines?
Where is God saying 'GO' or 'DO' or 'SPEAK' or 'TURN' or 'TRUST' or 'FORGIVE' or 'GIVE' or 'STEP OUT' and you're saying… 'WHAT IF?'
Where is God inviting you to be part of His Work but what's hindering you from that is not God's ability to do what He says but you staying in a place asking… 'WHAT IF?'
Just so you know… God doesn't rebuke Moses for asking the question, rather He answers it.
God meets Moses in the place of 'WHAT IF' with proof, patience, and the promise of His presence – read on in Exodus 4 to see that.
I don't know where the LORD is inviting you to join Him today (or in this season), but rather than continuing to ask, 'WHAT IF', join me in exchanging those two words with these two letters… OK.
