You Can Make It! Overcoming the Excuses Exodus 3, 4, and 6

You Can Make It! Overcoming the Excuses of an Imperfect Servant

You Can Make It! God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Our human limitations are not obstacles to God’s plan, but the very stage upon which He demonstrates His power. Let us reflect on the incredible power of faith in our lives. Faith is not just a belief; it is a force that empowers us to overcome obstacles, achieve great things, and walk in victory. We will explore the importance of faith and how it can enable us to accomplish God's call in our lives.

Introduction: The Burning Bush and the Divine Initiative

The mission of Moses begins with divine initiative. While Moses was tending his father-in-law's flock, God appeared in a flame from a bush that burned but was not consumed. When God calls, He calls by name: "Moses, Moses!" This call signifies belonging and certainty. However, Moses responded with what many of us offer when God calls us to a mission: excuses. Moses suffered from what we call an "inferiority complex"—a distorted, "myopic" vision of himself. He saw himself as smaller than he truly was. But as the philosopher Sartre noted, what matters is not what others have done to us, but what we do with what they have done to us. Even more importantly, we must see what God can do with us!

I. The Four Excuses of Moses

1. "Who am I?" (Exodus 3:11) – The Excuse of Insecurity

Moses struggled with his self-image. He focused on his own inadequacy.

• The Reality: The question isn't "Who am I?" but "Who is the Lord?"

• God’s Answer: "I will be with you" (Ex 3:12). God’s presence is the only qualification we need.

2. "They won't believe me" (Exodus 4:1) – The Excuse of Fear of Rejection

Moses remembered his past failure in Egypt when an enslaved Hebrew challenged his authority, saying, "Who made you ruler and judge over us?" (Ex 2:14). Moses was "existentially myopic," defined by his previous lack of success.

• God’s Answer: God turned his staff into a snake and told Moses to grab it by the tail—the most dangerous part. This was to build trust. God uses signs and wonders to show that He is the one in control of the human condition.

3. "I am not eloquent" (Exodus 4:10) – The Excuse of Inability

Moses claimed he could not speak well, neither in the past nor now. He forgot that the Lord made the mouth.

• God’s Answer: "I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say" (Ex 4:12). We often silence ourselves because we fear we cannot express the message perfectly, but God provides the words.

4. "Please send someone else!" (Exodus 4:13) – The Truth Behind the Excuses

Finally, Moses ran out of creative excuses and told the blunt truth: he just didn't want to go. He thought someone else could do it better.

• God’s Answer: The Lord became angry, but He also provided a helper: Aaron. God raises people to help us in the grand mission of making Him known.

“Send Another One!” – The Attempt to Escape the Call: Resisting Responsibility: Exodus 4:13 reveals, “Ah, Lord! Send by the hand of him whom you will send.” Moses, even with God's answers, still tried to run away from the mission. We often resist God’s call because we fear the weight of responsibility.

II. The Result of Believing: A New Identity

Moses' faith was weak at first, but he stayed in God's presence. He presented his objections and allowed the Lord to manifest His power.

• A Good Instrument: Moses learned that his limitations didn't matter because he wasn't the one liberating Egypt—the Lord was. He only had to be a "good instrument."

• God Believes in You: This episode teaches us that God believes in us and wants to invest in us. If we remain dependent on the Almighty, we have the guarantee of success (Psalm 121:2-8).

You Can Make It: Pushed Toward Hope

Moses kept running until his excuses were exhausted. Sometimes, when we are stuck, God’s love (or even His holy anger) pushes us in the direction of true hope and a new mission.

1. Don't Give Up: God hasn't given up on you. Even if you feel you cannot move, stay in His presence.

2. Move Despite the Fear: If God is pushing you, go! Go with your doubts, your fears, and your discouragement. It is through communion and experiences with Him that our hope and faith are built.

3. The Promise Stands: The words spoken to Moses are spoken to you today: "I will be with you."

You can make it! Not because of who you are, but because of the "I AM" who sends you.

1. A Purpose Beyond Ourselves: Exodus 3:10 declares, “Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.” God has a purpose for each of us, but fear can paralyze us. Moses’ initial response is not one of eager acceptance, but of trembling hesitation. He needed to understand that God’s calling transcends human ability.

3. God's Presence is the Answer to Fear: Assurance in the Divine: Exodus 3:12 assures, “And God said, Surely I will be with thee.” God’s calling comes with His presence and provision. We must not focus on our inadequacies, but trust in the unwavering presence of the Lord. His “I will be with you” is a promise that conquers fear.

2. God is the One Who Enables and Gives Gifts: Trusting the Creator: Exodus 4:11 clarifies, “Who made man's mouth? Or who made the mute, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” God is the Creator, and He gives abilities to whomever He calls. We must trust that He equips us for His work, providing the necessary gifts and talents.

3. God Provided Help, But Did Not Change the Calling: Support, Not Substitution: Exodus 4:14 reveals, “Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, 'Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he will speak well [...].” God allowed Aaron to help Moses, but He did not change His mission. When we fear, God provides support, but He still calls us to obedience.

4. Moses' Obedience Brings Deliverance: Transformation Through Submission: Exodus 4:20 recounts, “So Moses took his wife and his sons, and put them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.” After so many excuses, Moses finally obeyed. Obedience to God’s call transforms lives and accomplishes His purposes.

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Overcoming the Excuses: By Faith, You Can Make It!

1: The Importance of Faith in Accomplishing Works (Ephesians 2:10)

Our faith in God is manifested through our actions and works. As believers, we are called to live out our faith by serving others, spreading the gospel, and fulfilling the good works that God has prepared for us. Faith without works is dead, but faith that is active produces fruit that glorifies God.

2: Trusting God in Times of Adversity (Philippians 4:13)

In times of adversity and hardship, our faith in God enables us to endure and overcome. Through Christ who strengthens us, we can face any challenge with confidence, knowing that God is with us and will never leave us nor forsake us.

3: God’s Promise to Empower Believers (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God promises to empower us with His strength and grace to face life's trials and challenges. His power is made perfect in our weakness, and when we rely on Him, we can accomplish far more than we could ever imagine.

4: The Need for Faith to Overcome Obstacles (Luke 18:27)

Even the most daunting obstacles can be overcome by faith. With God, nothing is impossible, and what may seem impossible to man is possible with God. Let us have faith like a mustard seed, believing that God can move mountains and make a way where there seems to be no way.

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5: Faith as a Motivator for Action (James 2:17)

True faith is evidenced by action. When we have faith in God's promises, we are motivated to step out in obedience and do His will. Let us not be hearers of the Word only but also doers, putting our faith into action and making a difference in the world around us.

6: Faith as Strength to Resist Temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13)

In times of temptation, our faith in God gives us the strength to resist and overcome. God is faithful, and He will provide a way of escape so that we can endure and emerge victorious over sin and temptation.

7: Faith as the Basis of Trust in God (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Above all, faith is about trusting in God's wisdom, goodness, and faithfulness. When we acknowledge Him in all our ways and lean not on our understanding, He directs our paths and leads us in the way of righteousness.

You Can Make It! Overcoming the Excuses Exodus 3, 4, and 6

Conclusion:

As we conclude, let us remember that by faith, we can overcome, achieve, and persevere through every trial and tribulation. Let us hold fast to the promises of God and walk in unwavering faith, knowing that He who promised is faithful. May our lives be a testimony to the power of faith, and may we continue to trust in God's strength and provision in all circumstances.

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Ronaldo Gomes da Silva is a Professor of Homiletics and Education Specialist (UFF, Brazil). A recognized authority in ministerial training, his homiletical frameworks are used globally and were recently cited by the newspaperCEADEMA of State Convention (June 2025).