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Have you ever felt insufficient? You believe God, but you don't believe in you? That where Moses finds himself in Exodus 4:13: “O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.” At first glance, this might seem like a simple request, but this was a bold statement of how insufficient Moses felt when god came looking to use him.
A Humble Heart: Moses' Strength and Struggle
Moses is one of the most well-known figures in the Bible. He led the Israelites out of Egypt, parting the Red Sea and performing miraculous signs. God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, revealing His divine name, "I AM THAT I AM" (Exodus 3:14), and giving Moses the charge to deliver the Israelites from slavery. Moses knew God’s voice and had witnessed His power firsthand. What I love about Moses is that we get to see his very human side—his fears, his insecurities, and his doubts.
I once heard someone else say, "Weaknesses are just strengths in reverse."In Numbers 12:3, we are told, “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” His humility was his strength, but, as we’ll see, it also became a stumbling block when he allowed his insecurities to overshadow God’s calling. Sometimes what makes you great is also what causes you to fall short in other areas. Learning to trust God and not use your personality as an excuse, will help you fight that.
The Call to Lead and Moses' Hesitation
In Exodus 3, God reveals His plan to Moses. He tells Moses that He has heard the cries of the Israelites and is sending Moses to be the deliverer. God says, “I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” and promises that the Israelites will listen to him (Exodus 3:15-18). God is clear: He is sending Moses to lead His people out of Egypt.
But Moses hesitates. Despite hearing God's call, seeing the signs, and knowing the miracles God has already performed, Moses responds with doubt. In Exodus 4:10, Moses says, “I am not eloquent... but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue.” He essentially tells God that He’s picked the wrong person because of his perceived inadequacies.
It’s easy to sympathize with Moses. Many of us have had moments where we’ve felt unqualified or too weak to answer God's call. We may feel we don’t have the right skills, the right gifts, or the right words to do what God has asked of us. Often, we believe there is someone better than us for the job.
I come from a family of phenomenal people. I grew up with both parents and my brother. My father started a business 30 years ago and it is extremely successful. He later began pastoring. He is unique as a pastor because he has never taken a dime from the church, but rather he gives to it continuously. My mother is a legend. I'm not the first or only person to call her that. She literally has impacted tens of thousands of lives through the camps the Lord gave her and her ministry with no exaggeration. She also started a very successful school and is a leader everywhere she goes. My brother is a year younger than me and has multiple degrees, including a doctorate. He is an amazing musician and author of Harris Study Bible which he wrote over the course of 20 years, starting at age 15. He knows more about the Bible than just about anyone I know. I once was selling his Bibles at an event table and someone came to me and listed all the above accomplishments of my family before looking at me with slight disdain and saying, "What do you do?". I replied, "Nothing." What do you say after that? Feeling less than, is a familiar feeling.
But this is where the power of prayer comes in: Prayer isn’t about telling God what we can’t do—it’s about trusting Him to work through us, no matter our shortcomings.
God’s Response: Trusting His Power
God’s answer to Moses is powerful and straightforward. In Exodus 4:11, God says, “Who hath made man's mouth? Or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord?” Essentially, God reminds Moses that He is the Creator of all things. He’s not just talking to Moses; He’s talking to the Creator of the universe, the One who formed the human mouth, the One who holds all power.
God is clear: He knows Moses' abilities better than Moses does. And even though Moses feels inadequate, God doesn’t need Moses to be perfect—He just needs Moses to trust Him and go.
Sometimes, we get stuck in our insecurities and start to tell God what we can’t do. But God is asking us to stop focusing on our weaknesses and trust that with Him, all things are possible. When God calls us, He isn’t asking us to rely on our own strength or abilities; He’s asking us to rely on His. With God, we have everything we need.
A Moment of Doubt: Moses' Prayer
Moses' prayer in Exodus 4:13—“O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send”—is a moment of doubt and frustration. Moses is essentially saying, “God, send someone else.” It sounds humble, even noble, but it’s not in line with God’s plan. God had already told Moses that He was the one sending him. Moses’ prayer, while understandable from a human perspective, was a prayer of resistance.
How often do we find ourselves in a similar position? God calls us to step out in faith, but we let our doubts take over. We might pray for God to send someone else, to use someone more qualified, someone who seems like a better fit. But the truth is, God knows exactly who He’s called—and He’s called you. Your strengths, your weaknesses, your fears, your faith—they all come together for God’s purpose. And it’s only by walking with Him in faith that we will see the amazing things He can do through us.
God’s Patience and Mercy
God does not baby our doubt, but He is also merciful. Even though Moses questioned God’s choice, God didn’t abandon him. In His mercy, God allowed Moses' brother Aaron to be his spokesperson. This was an act of grace, but it was also a lesson: God can work with our self- doubts, but we shouldn’t take His patience for granted.
God knows who you are, and He knows what you are capable of—even if you don’t. He doesn’t need you to have everything figured out before you step out in faith. He just needs you to trust Him and move forward in obedience.
What This Means for Us
When we pray, it’s important to recognize that prayer isn’t just about asking for what we want or need—it’s about aligning ourselves with God’s will. It’s about coming to Him in faith, trusting that He will equip us to do what He has called us to do.
We all have moments of insecurity, just like Moses did. But when we pray, we need to remember that it’s not about us—it's about God working through us. He is our strength. He is our guide. He is the One who makes all things possible.
So, the next time you feel uncertain or inadequate, remember Moses. His doubts didn’t disqualify him; they gave him an opportunity to learn to trust God more deeply. Let God use you. Let Him work through your weaknesses, because with Him, all things are possible.
God is looking for a generation that will boldly stand in His name, trusting that He will provide all we need to fulfill His purposes. So, will you answer His call today? Will you trust Him to equip you and use you for His glory?
Let’s pray together, knowing that with God, we are never alone, and with Him, we can do all things.
Want to hear more on this subject? Listen to the PRESS Movement podcast, How to Pray Beyond My Insecurities.
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