WHO AM I

Exodus 3:10-11 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth My people, the children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Exodus, Chapter 2 begins the story of Moses. This is, no doubt, one of the most often told stories of the bible - the story of Moses, the son of Amram and Jochebed, of the tribe of Levi. How Moses was born at a time that the Pharaoh had a decree that all male children were to be slain. How he was hid in the bulrushes by his mother and was found and reared by the daughter of Pharaoh, who took him as her son and named him Moses. How Moses fled to the land of Midian after slaying an Egyptian for smiting a Hebrew. How he was taken in by Reuel (or Jethro), worked for and dwelt with him, and is given his daughter, Zipporah, as his wife. And then, how God appeared and spoke to him from a burning bush.

God's message to Moses was to remind him of the affliction of Israel in Egypt and their cries for help in a time of oppression and sorrow. It is at this time that God tells Moses that he was chosen to confront Pharaoh and lead His people out of Egypt. Moses immediate reply was, who am I that I should be chosen for such a task as this? Moses immediate response was that he was totally incapable of such a mission. Moses, by his reply, indicates that he was astonished that God would consider him capable of such a task.

As Christians, there is much work to do. When asked, either in God's word or by others, to do, or help to do, good works, what is our answer? Do we, as did Moses, reply, who am I? Or should we respond as did Paul and Barnabas. The Holy Spirit said of these two men, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. They did not question the calling or their ability, but rather they departed immediately and preached the word of God. (Acts 13:1-5).

Sometimes we get the feeling of insignificance. How little we consider ourselves in God's big world. How insignificant we are when we compared tohow big the task is of bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. In taking this attitude, we often miss opportunities to do good Christian works.

Just for a moment, let's think small. Let's not think about teaching the whole world, but about favorably influencing the life of just one person. If you can cause one person to turn his or her life away from living in sin and toward living for Christ, you will accomplish much. God, Jesus Christ, and all of the angels in heaven will rejoice because one soul has been saved. However, you may say, who am I? I'm not capable of teaching others about God's word. Maybe, we are thinking too big again. It could be that if I just went about doing good works, others might be taught by my actions. Maybe, if I would just let my Christian light shine, others would see it. Maybe I could influence others to come to Christ by the example I set in the conduct of my life! Maybe, just maybe, this small thing I can do will have BIG results.

What a small deed it was when the poor widow gave her two mites into the temple treasury. How small and insignificant this act was. Yet, how many people in the world have read about this poor widow and learned the true meaning of giving? The act of this poor widow is contained in only four verses of the bible, Mark 12:41-44, but what an impact it has had on the world. She didn't say, "who am I?" She didn't say "I'm but a poor widow; how can I teach others?" Rather, by her actions, she said, "I love my God, and I love my neighbor, and to both I will give my all." What a lesson! What a gift this poor widow gave to each of us. What a privilege it is to read about the light that she let shine!

When called to do God's work, Moses replied, who am I? God's response was I will be with thee. God has work for all of us to do. It may be great or small, but it is significant in God's eyes. He is saying to each of us today, "labor for Me and I will be with you."