Making Excuses Before God

Exodus 3:10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

Do you find yourself, like me, sometimes making excuses for pressing activities that need to be completed? Making excuses or procrastination has been elevated to a fine art. Some people are so good at it and make their excuses almost sound credible and justifiable. Admittedly, there can be obstacles that stand in our way to get things done, but we need to be honest with ourselves and discern when we are facing an obstacle, or when we are simply making an excuse.

Moses was recruited by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God had complete confidence in Moses ability to undertake and finish this task, but from the beginning of this dialogue, we find that Moses has a variety of excuses as to why he was the wrong man for the job.

Exodus 3:11 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?

Excuse number one: Moses doubted his leadership skills. Perhaps Moses was feeling insecure, lacking confidence in his ability to lead. Moses’ first excuse was that he was a nobody, just a shepherd who had no experience leading people, but only tending sheep. This, as far as Moses was concerned, was not weighty credentials that equipped him to lead an entire nation. However, God told Moses that He would be with him and enable him to do all that He wanted done. Moses was apparently not convinced.

Exodus 3:13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them?

Excuse number two: Moses did not have an answer concerning whose authority he had to be Israel’s deliverer. However, God told Moses that He was Jehovah, the I AM, who was sending him to Egypt. The Infinite God of the universe would give Moses the authority to act in His Great Name. But this was not enough for Moses.

Exodus 4:1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.

Excuse number three: Moses raised the possibility that none of the leaders would believe that God had sent him. God responded by giving Moses the ability to manifest three miracles that would convince the leaders that God had sent him. Moses however, gave God another excuse.

Exodus 4:10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

Excuse number four: Moses defends himself saying that he is not a gifted speaker, and is in fact ‘slow of tongue.’ God however, answered Moses and told him that he would enable him to speak and teach him what to say. Yet Moses managed to find one more excuse.

Exodus 4:13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

Excuse number five: Moses simply told God that he was unqualified for the task and that He had best choose someone more suitable to do it. God’s answer was that He would allow his older brother, Aaron, to assist him but that Moses would still be God’s choice to deliver Israel from slavery.

How grievous and tiresome Moses excuses were! He may not have faith in his own ability, but it was clear that He had none in God’s either! It took five excuses and God’s anger to cause Moses to ultimately submit and obey to God. Though, I doubt even then he did it with a willing heart and happy attitude. In time through the experiences that followed, God worked upon the heart of this man to produce a servant of outstanding faith and obedience to the LORD. God has a reason for calling us to do the tasks that He has set before us. Despite the hardship that may follow, for our own good and God’s glory, it is best to obey.

When it comes to obeying what God asks of us, our Heavenly Father will not accept any excuses. What does God ask of us? Like Moses, God wants us to be faithful and trust Him every step of the way. Consider what God is asking of us at this time, what causes us to respond not with a willing heart, but with a handful of excuses? God will pursue us until we submit. He will not accept our excuses but keep reminding us of what we need to do until we complete the task, totally, thoroughly and orderly. Let’s save ourselves the pain of procrastination. Let’s do what God asks and do it without delay.

“Heavenly Father, You know the excuses that I harbor in my heart and confess with my lips. And I know what You have asked me to do. Father, forgive me for my hesitancy and deliberation. Give me the confidence in You and the courage to obey – immediately. May I be known as one who obeys with an eager and willing heart, one who trusts You despite the difficulties and one who is ready to reveal Your goodness and loving ways to others. Thank You.”