God Speaking

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

(Exodus 3:11)

When I was young, one of the favourite games played at parties, was called, “Who am I?” Whoever was hosting the party would write on slips of paper the names of famous people. These could be from all walks of life and may be still alive or perhaps part of history. When the game began, the host would pin the slip of paper with the famous person’s name on to each guest’s back, and the object was to discover who you were representing. The first guest to guess the right person won the game. The rules were simple, you went to other guests and were to ask questions like this “Am I a man?” or “Am I a famous queen?” Etc. The person asked could only reply, yes or no and then the round of questions would continue.

We may sometimes wonder who we are. Perhaps we might have reached a point in our lives when we ask ourselves that question, who am I? We may have doubts about our abilities to achieve our goals. We have the feeling that nobody knows who we really are or that no one really cares to find out. We may have a wonderful opportunity opening up in our lives and doubt enters our mind and we ask the question am I capable of handling this? Who am I to take that on?

God’s word is a great place to go for perplexing questions to be answered. Some of the most powerful characters had to not only ask themselves how valuable they were, but took the same question to God. Moses is a prime example of asking that big question. He had grown up in a royal palace after he had been drawn from the river Nile as a baby and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. He blew all his good fortune by losing his temper and killing an Egyptian. He runs away and for years spends his life tending sheep until God seeks him out with a wonderful chance to come back to Egypt and become a leader of his people. Does he jump at the chance? No way. He asks that dreaded question of self-doubt (Exodus 3:11) It is God’s answer that we all need to take heed of when we lack confidence.

“And God said, I will be with you…” (Exodus 3:12)

Jeremiah is another one who doubts his ability because of being young when God tells him he has been chosen for a special role (Jeremiah 1:6) and again God assures him that he will be given the right words to speak because God himself will put them there,

“Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth.” (Jeremiah 1:9)

Jesus himself assures his disciples not to worry about how they will cope with difficult situations, the Holy Spirit will be there right with them;

“for the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say” (Luke 12:12)

Whatever situation we are facing, it is so encouraging to remember that our true identity is defined by our Heavenly Father who calls us his children and refers to us as his beloved and we can boldly answer that big question Who am I? With this reply,

I am a beloved child of God!

“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” (Deuteronomy 33:12)