Emmanuel: A Christmas Devotional, Day 5, God with Moses

And God said, “I will be with you.” Exodus 3:12

Daily Reflection:  

I love how humbly Moses begins his leadership. The mighty man of God who God will use to perform miracle after miracle, whose face will shine from being in God’s glory…this same man begs God to send someone else at the start.

God speaks to Moses from the burning bush to call him to be the voice of a compassionate God to his oppressed people. God has come to deliver them and bring them to the promise land…a promise that began more than four hundred years before. From the hindsight we now have, it seems silly that Moses would beg to not go. However, I can totally relate. He ran from Egypt forty years before and has lived peacefully and in obscurity as a shepherd. He started a family and has settled down. It’s hard to leave what’s known and comfortable. God promises Emmanuel. “I will be with you.” It’s this promise and that of sending his brother with him that finally calms Moses into agreement. He will not be alone on this adventure…The Almighty God who Sees goes with him.

Today, let’s trust that like Moses, God goes with us where he calls us. He sees our struggles; he knows our hearts; he understands our weaknesses and insecurities, and he promises to never leave.

Daily Prayer:

Father, thank you for seeing our suffering and not leaving us alone in it. Thank you that just as you saw your people enslaved and delivered them, you will break the bonds of our slavery to addiction, to false securities, to unhealthy relationships. Lord, as we walk into the call you’ve placed in each of our hearts, thank you for the promise of being near us.

Digging Deeper:

In what way do you relate to Moses here?