You are Here for a Reason
Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Exodus 4:10
Years earlier, God had set the stage for Moses to lead the Israelites out of captivity. When Pharaoh had commanded all baby boys to be killed, God preserved Moses by having his mother put him in a basket amidst some pond reeds where Pharaoh’s daughter found him and raised him as her own. Because he was raised in the palace, Moses was well educated. Yet, Moses gave the sorry excuse in our text when God told him that the time had come to lead the Israelites out of captivity. God responded to him: “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”
The Lord will at times place us in a position to lead someone out from slavery to worry or sin. That person could be a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor, or someone we meet at a soccer game. You should not worry about not coming up with the right words, but realize that God has put you there at that time and that place as the one best able to comfort and encourage this person, and to bring them the peace they need. God’s promise to Moses is just as valid for you: “I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say”.
He is thy Treasure, He thy Joy, Thy Life and Light and Lord,
Thy Counselor when doubts annoy, thy shield and great Reward.
His wisdom never plans in vain, ne’er falters or mistakes;
All that His counsels did ordain a happy ending makes
Upon thy lips, then, lay thy hand and trust His guiding love;
Then like a rock thy peace shall stand here and in heaven above.
The Lutheran Hymnal 535:2,8,9