About the Narrator

Maj Gen Rick Martin recently retired from a 36-year Air Force career and is now involved with various nonprofit organizations and serves as a consultant in San Antonio. During his Air Force career he flew 5000+ hours in a dozen aircraft and served on numerous headquarters staffs with multiple deployments in Southwest Asia and the Middle East. Rick and his family have enjoyed many decades of connection with OCF ministry and have a heart to reach military members and families for Christ. 

This episode narrated by Maj Gen Rick Martin, USAF (Ret.)

Courageously strive to fulfill His intent

Today’s Scripture reading comes from Exodus 3:14, quoting from the NASB:

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

Ever had the feeling of being inadequate for a task, but deep down inside you knew you had to take it on? The situation or event was yours to win or lose, but your internalized anxiety hindered your ability to believe that things would end well. That lack of faith is not the Commander’s desire for us. Rather, His intent is that we stretch ourselves to demonstrate bold and courageous faith. The faith required to act on the seemingly unfeasible plans of God may take us well outside our comfort zones. It may well force a confession or a denial of God’s sufficiency, of His simply being enough. Moses had a similar dilemma.

Moses made many excuses. He could visualize no plan that resulted in successfully bringing God’s people out of Egypt. Moses might have thought: Lord, what you’re asking me to do is impossible. He asked, “Who am I?” God did not ask Moses if he wanted to go to Pharaoh. He told him, I am sending you. In so doing, He extended to Moses the assurance that he (Moses) was indeed sufficient for the task because God himself would be present: “I will be with you.” Later in Exodus 33:15, Moses declares, “If your presence will not go (with us), do not carry us up from this place.”

Though Moses’ response is still tenuous, he is coming to understand the power that accompanies His presence. Distress and discouragement—the unwelcomed duo—are banned from His presence. Anxiety is checked at the door, and faithlessness becomes courageous faith in action.

God will do no less for the committed servant leader than He would do for Moses. He will act to uproot discouragement and, often, remove obstacles. He will give favor in the face of the unreasonable and will prevail over disagreeable circumstances. We must come to see the right and necessary action as His idea, His plan, and His intention. We must come to terms with the action of an infallible God choosing fallible man to execute His great plans.

When faced with matters that seem insurmountable, revisit the full text of God’s mission for Moses, move ahead in faith, and walk confidently in the assurance of God’s presence in demanding circumstances. Courageously strive to fulfill His intent.

Points to Ponder

Over the next week, here are 3 points to ponder during your personal time of reflection or with a small group or mentor.

  1. First, God gives insight, creativity, and wisdom to meet all tasks He asks of us. Trust His leadership.
  2. Second, when done according to His plan, no necessary action is unfeasible. Express confidence in God’s promised presence and faithfulness.
  3. Third, rely on God’s provision. Feasibility studies are said to be the doorway to action. Make your stand here: God is trustworthy and true.